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Treasure  "Room 


A    N 


E      S      S      ^      Y 


O    N       T    H    E 


K     I     N    G     D     O     M 


O    F 


CHRIST. 


B    Y 


ABRAHAM     BOOTH. 


They   shall    speak   of    the    Glory  of  thT 
Kingdom.   P/jlm  ex V.    1 1 . 


iV  E  PF-  Y  O  R  K: 

Printed  and  Soldhj  W.  Durell,  at  his 
Book- Store    and     Printing-Office^ 
No.  19,  Queen- vStreet. 
M,DCC.XCI. 


Cui.  1     8  7^.^ 


PREFACE. 

'T^HE  Kingdom  ofChriftis  a  fubjcft 
of  great  importance  :  for,  accor-d- 
ing  to  the  views  we  have  of  that  king- 
dom will  our  coneliifionsbe,  rGrpe6ling 
various  branches  of  religious  condu6l. 
Ifthofe  views  be  imaginary,  thefe  ccn- 
clufions  mufl:  be  fallc.  By  the  former, 
the  glory  of  Mefliah's  regal  charadicr 
will  be  obfcurcd  :  by  the  litter,  his 
vorfhip  will  be  corrupted  :  whereas 
the  true  doSrine  concerning  this  holy 
empire,  may  not  only  be  the  mean  of 
preferving  froro  thofe  evih,  but  of  pre- 
fentingus  with  6^^/^  for  the  deciilon  of 
many  difputes  among  the  profefTors  of 
Chriflianity.  A  competent  acquaint- 
ance, therefore,  with  its  nature  and 
laws,  its  emoluments  and  honors,  is 
clofely  conncded  with  our  duty  and  ot]r 
happincfs:  which  acquaintance  mufl  be 
<Ierived  from  divine  I^evelation, 


IV  PREFACE. 

Important,  however,  as  the  fubject 
nianifciUy  is, it  lias  been  but  rddom  pro- 
felTcdly  dilciiflcci.  This  confideration 
was  a  leading  motive  to  the  prefent  at* 
tempt.  To  illiidrate  the  nature  of  our 
Lord's  Kingdom,  and  to  infer  the  con- 
clufions  flowing  from  it,  conftiture  the 
defign  of  this  EHay. 

The  author  has  exprefTed  his  thoughts 
with  great  freedom  >  yet  without  in- 
tending the  leall  offence  to  any  party  of 
ChrillianSjorto  any  perfon,  from  whofe 
notions  and  pra6lices  he  confcientioufly 
differs.  In  the  courfe  of  difcuflion  he 
animadverts,  indeed,  on  feme  particu- 
lars, with  a  degree  of  fevcrity  :  but 
then  they  appear  to  him  in  the  light  of 
f)oliticaJ  artifices^  which  either  impeach 
the  dominion  of  Chriil  in  his  own  kino;- 
dom  ',  or  degrade  and  corrupt  that 
worfliip  v/hicli  he  rcauires.  Now,  in 
cafes  oi  this  kind,  the  writer  is  of  opini- 
on, i':  r  "^'?;Tirjiceto  the  King Meiliah, 


PREFACE.  r 

and  true  benevolence  to  man,  demand 
t'lie language  oFmaiiced  opp.Gfi.rion. 

Such  is  the  nature  of  our  Lord's  em- 
pire, that  few  of  his  lovai  fubjeas  can 
ferioufly  reflccb  upon  i-c,  without  feel-r 
iug  themfelves  bo.th  delighted  and  re- 
proved. Delighted;  becaufe  it  is  for 
the  honor  of  their  Mediator,  to  be  the 
Sovereign  of  a  fpiritual  monarchy.  4 
charadber  of  this  kind  apparently  fuits 
the  digniiy  of  his  Perfon,  the  dellgn  of 
his  mediation,  and  ihe  riches  of  his 
gvacQ. '- Reproved  i  becaufe  they  daily 
f.nd  a  want  of  that  fpirituality  in  their 
aifeclions,  and  of  chat  heavenly  mind- 
cdnef?,  which  become  the  profcfTeiJ 
fubjefibs  of  fuch  a  kingdom.  When 
^leditatingon  the  charafitcriilics  of  this 
holy  empire,  they  (land  convicbcd  be? 
fore  its  divide  Sovereign  of  mucli  car- 
nality and  worldly  -minded ncfs,  over 
■!?;hich    they  iincerely    mourn:  vb>k 

A  % 


vi  P  R  E  F  A  C  E. 

merely  nominal  fubjcccs  of  the  King 
Mefliah,  or  fuperfieial  profefTors  ofthe 
gracious  gofpel,  are  but  little  concern- 
ed about  the  (late  of  their  hearts,  in  re- 
ference to  heaven  j  or  with  regard  to 
the  fpiricaality  of  their  worlliip. 

Thisbeing  the  cafe  with  muhitudes, 
the  author  would  not  be  much  furpri- 
fed,  were  various  particulars  in  the  fol- 
lowing pages  to  prove  difguiiing  to  the 
cade  of  numbers  profefiin£r  godlinefs. 
But  facls  are  flubborn  thin.os  3  and  the 
fayings  of  Jefus  Chriil  mud  not  be  ex- 
plained away,  that  confcience  may  red 
in  a  falfc  peace,  or  that  the  public  tadc 
may  be  gratified*.  For,  when  thinking 
of  our  Sublime  Sovereign,  Tky  king- 
dom cOiME,  is  the  language  of  every  up- 
right heart,  let  carnal  profefTors  and  the 
profligate  v/orld  fay  what  thcv  pleaf^-. 

A.  B30TH. 

GooJ man's  Fields,  July  50;  l  ySS. 

*  Luther  fays,  Potlus  qmm  ah'quid  Regno 
Ch'iftl  et  Glotlae  ejus  decedat,  ruat  non  folum  pax 
{rd  cccl-im  et  terra.  Loci  Commun,  CbiT  iv.  p  ^j. 


r  7  1.    ,  . 

A    N 

E      S      S       A      Y 

O    N       T    H    E 

KINGDOM   OF   CHRIST. 

T  having  been  repealed  by  ancient 
Prophets,  thac  the  Lord  Mcfliah 
fhould  be  a  King,  and  have  iiniverfal 
empire,  the  cholen  tribes  in  every  age 
expected  his  appearance  under  the  regal 
charader.  While,  however,  the  ge- 
neral idea  ofthatexpe6tation  was  fully 
warranted  by  the  Spirit  of  prophecy, 
the  bulk  of  Abraham's  natural  polierity 
v^ere  under  agrofs  miftake,  rcipedling 
the  true  defign  of  their  Melliah's  ap- 
pearance, and  the  real  nature  of  his 
kingdom:  which  miftake  had  the  moft 
pernicious  influence  upon  their  temper 
and  condu<5]:,  v^hen  the  gracious  pro- 
mifcofhis  comincf  was  fulfilled. 


o 


Thefenfe  which  they  affixed  to  pro-» 
phecies  refpe^tingthcgrcat  Redeemer.^ 
was  manifedly  fuch  as  flattered  their 
pride  and  foftered  their  carnality.  This, 
gave  it  a  decided  advantage,  in  their 


ESSAY    ON    THE 

A^Iatnation,    over    that  for  which  e-ur 
;Lord  and  his  Apoftles  contended  >   and 
led  them  to  overlook  whntcver  in  the 
ancient  Oracles  oppofed  their    feciilar 
views.       Ignorant    of    their  fpiritual 
wants,  and  fi.ufhed  with  a  falfe  perCiia- 
ilon  of  interefl  in  Jehovah's  peculiar  fa- 
vor,onthegroiindo[canialdefcentfrom 
Abraham,  and  oHhe  Covenant  made  at 
Horeb  -,  the    doctrine,   example,    and 
claims  of  Chriil:^  were  extrecncly    of- 
ienfive.     Not  appearing  as  a  tempoi  al 
prince,   dilcovering   no  difpofition  to 
free  them  from  the  Roman  yoke,  and 
frequently  addrejiling  their  coiifciences 
with  keen  reproof^  on  account  of  their 
pride  and    hypocrify,  fuperftition  and 
covetoufnefs  y   tliey  reje<ied  with  de- 
termined oppofitionalltheevidences  of 
his  divine  miflion,  treated  him  as  an  ini- 
podor,  and  procured  his  crucifixion.- - 
After  he  was  rifen  from  the   dead,  and 
afcended  to  heaven,  multitudes  of  thera 
indeed    believed,    and   profefTed    the 
Chriilian  faith  :   but  a  great  majority  of 
the  nation  continued  in  hardened   im- 
penitence, and  perfecutcd  iheApoflles 
y/ith  unrelenting  malevolenxre.     Thus 
they  proceeded  till,  divine  forbearance 
being  exhaufled,  ivr^//^  came  upon  them 
ipthc  uttcrmoft^  in  the  total  fubverHoi^'i 
.^ftheir  civil  and  eccleliadicalpoUtyc 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  9 

This  miflake  of  the  Jews,  rerpe6i:ing 
the  kingdom  of  their  Meiiiah,  lying  at 
the  foundation  of  all  tne  oppolition 
with  which  they  treated  him,  and  of 
their  own  ruin  j  it  behoves  us  to  guard 
with  diligence  againil  every  thing 
which  tends  to  fecularize  the  dominion 
of  Chriil  :  lell,  by  corrupting  the  Gof- 
pel  Oeconomv,  we  dillionor  the  Lord 
Redeemer,  and  be  finally  puniflied  as 
the  enemies  of  his  government.  Our 
danger  of  contracting^  guilt,  and  ot  in- 
curring divine  l^mrnent  in  this  way, 
is  far  ^rom  fmall.  l^or  we  are  fo  con- 
vcrfant  with  fenhble  objc6t«^,  and  fo  de- 
lighted with  exterior  fhow,  that  weare 
naturally  inclined  to  wifhforfomething 
in  the  religion  of  Jefus,  to  gratify  our 
carnality.  Under  the  influence  of  that 
mailer  prejudice,  t/ie  expe6lation  of  a 
temporal  kingdom^  Jewifh  depravity  re- 
jected Chriil  J  and  our  corruption,  if 
we  be  not  watchful,  may  fo  mifrepre- 
fent  his  empire,  and  oppofe  his  royal 
prerogative^,  as  implicitlv  to  fay,  IVe 
will  ndt  have  him  to  'rule  over  us. 

Among  the  numerous  admirable  fav- 
ings  of  JefusChrifl,  and  of  his  Apoftles, 
that  (land  recorded  in  the  New  Tefla- 
ment,  and  are  adapted  to  inilrufi  us  in 
this  important   fubjc6l"3   there    is  one 


lO  ESSAYONTHE 

whicli  defervcs  peculiar  notice.  The 
fiiying  to  which  I  advert,  is  part  of  that 
f^ood confeffion  which  our  Lord  witnefled 
.before  Pontius  Pilate  j  Aly  kingdom  is 
Tiot  of  this  world.  A  concife,  but  coni- 
prehenfive  declaration,  and  worthy  of 
himthat  made  it  .'--This  capital  faying 
maybe  coniidered  as  the  grand  maxim 
on  which  he  formed  his  condud:  when 
among  men  5  and  it  is  pregnant  with 
needful inllrudli on  to  all  his  difciples, 
refpe6i:ing  the  NewOeconomv  and  th-e 
Chrilcian Church  Relative  to  matters 
of  that  kind,  there  is  nor,  perhaps,  a 
more  interelling  pafTage  in  all  the  New 
Teftament  .j  nor  one  v/hich  is  better 
adapted  to  rebuke  the  pride  ^ndcarna- 
iity  of  millions  who  bear  the  Chrilliaji 
chara6ter.  To  approve  of  Chrifl  as  a 
fpiritual  monarch,  agreeab/v  to  the 
meaning  and  tendency  of  this  cmphati- 
cal  text,  requires  a  degree  of  heavenly 
mindednefs  which  comparatively  few 
polTcfs. 

My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world ^  fays 
Melliah  the  Prince,  when  Handing  be- 
fore the  Roman  governor,  and  quef- 
tioned  about  his  claim  of  dignity.  He 
boldly  avows  himfelf  a  King  >  yet, 
"jyyhileadviuicing  his  title  to  the  honors. 


lilNGDOMOF     CHRIST  1% 

^f  royiilty,  he  tacitly  informs  Pilate 
that  the  civil  rights  of  Cefar  had  no- 
thing to  fear  from  him  j  and  that  his 
own  difciples  had  no  advantages  to  ex- 
pert,  of  a  fecular  kind,   as  the  relult 

of    embarking  in    his    caiile. Our 

Lord,  a  little  while  before,  had  im- 
plicitly conveyed  the  general  idea  of 
this  declaration,  by  receiving  from  a 
furroundmg  multitude  the  acclamati- 
ons due  to  his  royal  chara6ler,  when 
riding  upon  an  afs  :  for  while  he  accept- 
ed the  honours  of  royalty,  the  poverty 
and  meannei's  of  his  appearance  plainly 
implied,  that  his  kingdom  was  not  of 
a  temporal  kind.  Zechariah  had  fore- 
told that  the  children  of  Zion  iliould 
loudly  rejoice  in  this  humble  manifes- 
tation of  the  King  Mefliah,  and  than 
their  joy  fhouid  kindle  into  rapture. 
An  incontrovertible  evidence  that  he 
predided  the  public  inauguration  of  a 
Sovereign,  whofe  kingdom  is  not  of  this 
world.  For  the  loyal  and  affe61:ionate 
fubje6ls  of  a  political  monarch  never 
thought  it  matter  oF  exultation,  thac 
he  appeared  among  them,  when  pro- 
claimed king,  with  all  the  marks  of 
meannefs  and  of  poverty.  Yet  fo  ic 
was  in  refped  of  the  King  Meffiah. 


la  E  S  S  A  Y    O  N    T  H  E 

It  is  generally  allowed,  if  I  midake 
not,  that  the  kingdom  ot  Chnlt  is  no 
other  thin  the  Goipei  Church*  >  which 
15  both  dillinguiflied  from  the  work, 
and  oppoled  to  it.  Relative  to  this 
kingdom,  and  its  divine  Sovereign, Je^ 
hovah  iays  j  /  have  fet  my  King  upon  my 
holy  hill  of  Zion.  This  prophetic  Oracle 
was  tulfiUed  when  our  Lord,  leading 
captivity  captive^  afcended  on  high  and 
fat  down  on  the  right  of  the  eternal  Fa- 
ther. Then  was  he  moft  folemnly  in- 
augurated and  proclaimed  King  of  the 
NewTeilament  Church,  amidtl  ador- 
ing myraids  of  attendant  angels,  and 
fpirits  of  j lift  men  made  ptrfeci.  I n  pu r - 
fuance  ofv/hich  molt  grand  invelliiure 
with  his  re^al  office,  he  diilributed 
royal  donative^, at  the  Tealt  ofPcntccoll, 
among  his  devoted  iiibjefts--  fuch  do- 
natives, as  perfe<5tiy  fuited  the  i-riajcflv 
of  his  Pcrlon,  and  the  nature  o\  his 
kingdom.  Yes,. that  wonderful  aflera- 
bla-^e  of  fpiritual  gifts  and  ;hcavcn]y 
graces,  which  he  bL'ilowed  upon  Iiis 
difciples  at  the  Jewifli  feftival,  was  a 

*  'iecnum  Dei  In  evang^eUa,  fnys  Wrrsius.  vfx 
ah'a  fij/ni'!calione  venit  qua  „  ur  notet  (fjitum  exi  • 
mium  et  vere  ibe'ur»  }'  cc-rficE  'IVflamenti  Novi 
fuH  Rcge  MtfTia  Excrciut,  in  Oral.  Domin-c. 
Exercit,    ix.  J  1 1. 


KINGDOM    OP    CHRIST.  t  ^ 

glorious  firlt-fruit  of  his  afcenfion,  and 
of  his  being  a  p'icft  upon  lih  t/irons. 
The  Gofpel  Church,  which  is  the  fub- 
jed  of  his  laws,  the  feat  ot  his  govern-: 
ment,  and  the  objcd  of  his  care,  being 
furrounded  with  powerful  oppofers  j 
he  is  reprefentcd  as  ruling  in  the  micljv  of 
Ms  enemies.  Nor  fliall  his  mediatorial 
kingdom  and  adminiilration  ceafe,  till 
all  thole  enemies  become  his  f/otilool. 

The  empire  of  Chri{l,indeed,c?^tends 
to  every  creature  :  for  all  authority  in 
heaven  and  on  earth  is  in  his  hands,  and 
he  is  head  over  all  things  to  the  Church, 
But  the  kingdom  of  which  we  treaty 
(lands  dillinguifhed  from  that  ofgene- 
i-ai  Providence,  as  well  as  from  every 
political  (late.  It  muft  be  conlidered, 
therefore,  as  confiding  ofthofe  perfon? 
whom  he  bought  with  his  blood, whom 
he  calls  by  his  grace,  and  over  whom 
he  reigns  as  a  fpiritual  monarch.  Thefe 
conftitute  v/hat  is  frequently  called,  the 
Catholic  Church,  wherever  the  favor- 
ed individuals  may  refide.  Of  fuch  al- 
fo,  or  of  thofe  who  make  a  credible  pro- 
fcilion  of  being  fUch,  allthofc  particu- 
hir  churches  confiil:,  which  conflitute 
cur  Lord's  vi{]blekingdom--that  kinsr- 
dam  of  which  we  fpeak.  Into  thQ 
B 


14  E  S  S  A  y    O  K    T  HE 

principal  chara(5t:er idles  of  this  holy 
empire,  and  into  the  genuine  confe- 
quences  of  thoie  criteria,  welhall  now 
enquire. 

The  Go/pel  Church  is  a  kingdom  not  of 
this  world^  in  regard  to  its  origin.  From 
thetime  of  Nimrod  to  the  prefent  age, 
fccular  empires  have  generally  origi- 
nated ill  the  vile  paflions  of  their  firft 
founders  :  for,  in almoft  every  inftance, 
avarice  and  pride,  ambition  and  a  lufl 
of  dominion,  have  been  confpicuous.-- 
Not  fo,  in  the  kingdom  of  Chrift.  The 
remote  foundation  of  his  dominion  was 
laid  in  the  counfels  of  Heaven  before 
time  comimenced,  by  allcomprehend- 
ing  wifdom  and  infinite  goodncfs,  for 
the  glory  of  God  and  the  benefit  of 
man  :  and  the  immediate  bafis  on  which 
it  ftands,  is  his  own  vicarious  obedience 
to  divine  law  5  both  as  to  its  precepts, 
and  as  to  its  penalty.  Jufticeand  good- 
nefs,  therefore,  are  the  foundation  of 
his  throne.  Mercy  and  truth  attend 
the  whole  of  his  adminiflration. 

The  kingdom  of  Chrifi  is  not  of  this 
ivorld^  refpe cling  the  fiibje^s  of  his  righte- 
ous government  The  generality  of  peo- 
ple in  all  countries,  were  born  fubjeets 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  T ^ 

of  thofe  governments  under  which  they 
lived.  No  fooner,  for  inllance,  were 
we  capable  of  rellecling  upon  our  ci- 
vil connedbions,  than  we  found  our- 
felvcs  freeborn  fubjeds  of  the  Britifh 
crown  :  and  thus  it  commonly  is  in  the 
fovereignties  of  fecular  princes.  Their 
dominion  being  confined  to  the  exteri- 
or of  human  condii6t,  and  not  reaching 
the  heart  j  natural  birth  and  local  cir- 
cumllances  conllitue  fubjedls  of  the 
llate,  put  them  under  the  protection  of 
law,  and  invert:  them  with  civil  rights., 
Such  fubje<5ts  areperfe6bly  well  luited 
to  the  kingdoms  of  this  world,  and  to 
the  charadter  of  their  fovereigns.  For^ 
confidered  as  menjkingsand  fubje<5ls  are 
on  a  level :  and,  as  diftinguiihed  by  po- 
litical chara6ters,  their  obligations  are 
mutual ;  allegiance  on  the  one  part, and 
pr0te6bion  on  the  other.  —  -Be{ide<, 
temporal  kingdoms  refpe6t  the  prefenc 
world.  The  mutual  duties  of  fovc- 
reigns  and  of  fubjecls,  as  fuch,  regard 
the  happinefs  of  civil  fociety,  and  of 
that  only.  As  an  inveftiture  with  poli- 
tical fovereignty  does  not  conllitute  a 
lordof  confcience,  it  gives  no  claim  to 
authority  in  fpiritual  things,  but  is  en- 
tirely confined  to  the  concerns  of  this^ 
world.     It  is,  indeed,  the  indirpcnfabls 


l6  ESS  A  V    O  N    T  H  E 

duty  of  fecular  princes,  and  of  their 
people,  to  love  and  adore  God  .  yet 
that  obligation  does,  not  arife  from  any 
political  relation  fubfiiling  among  them, 
but  from  their  being  reafonable  crea- 
tures. It  is  alfo  their  happinefs  to  be 
the  fubjcdls  of  Jefus  Chrid:  but  that 
felicity  does  not  refult  from  any  thing 
ihort  of  divine  mtrcy  exercifed  upon 
ihem,  as  aepravcd  and  guilty  crea- 
tures. 

The  kingdom  and  claims  ofC>hri(lbe- 
jng  very  different  from  thofe  oiCeafar, 
the  qualifications  and  obedience  of  his 
real  fubjeds  mufi  be  fo  too.  For  pcr- 
fons  may  be  good  lubjedts  of  a  temporal 
fcv'ereign,  and  enjoy  the  rights  offuch 
acharaAer,  while  they  are  lo  far  from 
bearing  true  allegiance  to  Jt'fus  Chrill, 
as  to  be  quite  inimical  to  his  dominion, 
and  entire  Grangers  to  the  privileges  of 
his  kingdom.  The  empire  ofChriii  isnot 
vf  this  world :  it  is  not  a  temporal,  but  a 
Spiritual  kingdom.  Our  Lord,  there- 
fore, is  a  fpiritual  fovereign  >  whofe 
dominion  extends  to  the  mind,  confci- 
ftwc^^  and  heart,  no  lefs  than  to  the  ex- 
ternal behaviour.  Conlequcntly,  all 
fhe  fubic61:sofhis  government  mud  have 
fpiritual  difpofitionSjanJ  yield  fpirituai 


K  I  NG1>0  M  O  P   GHR  r  ST.  i^ 

obedience obedience,    proceeding 

from  an  enlightened  underftanding,  an 
awakened  confcience,  and  a  renewed 
heart.  For,  as  is  the  fovereign,  fuch 
are  the  fubjedts,  and  fuch  the  allegiance 
required.  A  ipiritual  Sovereign^ 
and  lubje6ts  yielding  an  obedience 
merely  external,  are  manifeftiy  rncon-. 
filtent. 

As  all  mankind  are  born  in  a  flate  of 
apoftafy  from  God  :  as  the  natural  turn 
of  the  heart,  or  t^e  carnal  mind^  is  not- 
fubjeUto  the  law  of  God ^  neither  indeed, 
can  he  y  we  muft  be  born  again- --^cr/z^ 
not  of  bloody  nor  of  the  will  of  theflefro^  nor 
efthe  will  of  man^  but  o/"  Gc*^,  before  we 
are  permitted  to  confider  ourielves.  or 
tobeconfilered  by  others,  as  the  iub- 
je6bs  of  Him  whofe  kingdom  is  of  a 
fpiritual  kind.  Remarkable  are  the 
words  of  our  Lord,  when  fpeaking  of 
his  loyal  fubje61:s  :  7 hey  are  not  of  the 
world^  even  as  1  am  not  of  the  world.  No  : 
thev  are  delcribed  by  the  Apcflles,  as 
bein  ^,  of  the  truth  ^  of  faith;  and  of 
God^  Of  the  truth  :  enlightened^ 
converted,  and  fan(5i:ified  by  the  gofpeL 
Of  faith :  living  by  it  5  deriving  peacS' 

♦  joba  xviu,  17,  GaL  sii,  7^  9,  i,  Joh>  5Ts  ^4*< 


iB  ESSAY    ONTHE 

and  holinefs  from  Jefus  ChriH  through 
believing  in  him.  Of  God:  born  of 
him  5  or  begotten  again  to  a  lively  hope^ 
by  the  refurreBion  of  ] ejus  Ckrift  from 

the  dead, Such  are  the  fubjeds  of 

our  Lord's  kingdom  :  in  oppoiitionto 
whom,  the  New  Teuament  reprefencs 
the  rell  of  our  apoflate  race^  as  being  ^/ 
the  works  of  the  law;  of  the  world;  of 
aarknefs  ,  and  of  the  devil* .  Of  the 
works  of  the  law  ;  feeking  acceptance 
with  God  by  their  own  iniperfeA  obe- 
•dience,  which  leaves  them  under  a 
curie.  Of  the  world',  carnally  minded, 
and  in  a  ftate  of  enmity  to  God.  Of 
darknefs  :  ignorant  of  their  periibing 
ilate,  and  unacquainted  with  Jefus 
Chrifl.  Of  the  devil:  partakers  of  his 
image,  fubjec^s  of  his  dominion,  and 
performers  of  kis  willf.  So  great  is 
the  contrail:  formed  by  Scripture,  be- 
tween thofe  who  are  under  our  Lord's 
•government,  and  the  rcfl  of  mankind  \ 
Agreeably  to  which,  real  Chriflians  are 
further  defcribed,  as  delivered  from  the 
power  of  darknefs.^  or  the  tyranny  of 
Satan,  and  tranllated  into  thekiugdom 


*  Gal.  :i'i  10  Joh.  viil.  2^;  T  Joh  iv  5.  i  TheiT. 
y.  c.  Joh  viii,  38,  41 .  44  i  Joh.  h'i.  8  i  ?  f  Rom, 
*ili;  C.  7j  ii.  Eph.  V.  8,  Joh.  vlii.  44.  Eph.  ii.  t* 


K  I  NrG  DOM    OF    CHRIST.  ip 

of  God's  dear  Son  :  and  as  being  of 
God^  while  all  the  reft  of  the  world  hes 
in  wickednefs.  None,  therefore,  but 
thofe  who  are  born  from  above,  are  the 
fubjedsofJefusChrift:  for  if  the  heart 
be  not  under  his  dominion,  he  reigns 
not  at  all  as  a  fpiritual  monarch. 

Thatnone  but  real  Chriilians  are  fub- 

je6ls   of   our  Lord's   kingdom,   is  yet 

further  apparent   from  the  defcriptive 

xharaders  ol:  thofo  that  were  members 

ot  the   apoftolic  ciiurches.      We  find 

them  defcribed  in  theNewTeifament^ 

:ls  glad/j/  receiving t/ie  word  oi  grace, a^ 

j/ie  called  of Jelus  Chr'ifi^  and  as  called  to 

Jbe  faints.      The  Apodles   denominate 

them  brethren^   faithful  brethren.,  holy 

brethren.^  faints^  and  lively  ft  ones  in  the 

fpiritual  temple*.      Thefe  and  fimilar 

chara6ters    are  frequently    applied    to 

members  of  the  primitive  churches  in 

general  -,   and  of  thofe  churches  the  vi^ 

iible  kingdom  of  Chrifi:  then  ccnfifted. 

We  may  therefore  fay, with  Vitringa^ 

^'  The  kingdom  of  grace,  in  which 

^^  Chrid  is  king  upon  mount  Zion,  is 

^'  properly  and  emphatically  the  king-^ 

•  Ads  I'l.  41.  Rom.  i  6.  I  Cor.  i.  a.  Eph  i. 
?.  Philip,  i.  I.  Col,  i,  2.  2TheA:i  3.  Hcb. 
ill,  |«     I  Pet.  I.  2,    3,    and  ii,  5,     2  Pet.  i,  s* 


a©  ESSAYONTHE 

*^  dom  of  Chrift  :  of  which  none  are 
'*  fubje^ts,  except  thofe  who  are  cho- 
^*  fen,  called,  faithful,  peaceable,  and 
*'  humble  >  inwhomjcfus  Chrift  lives 
''  by  his  Spirit,  as  in  the  members  of 
^'  a  myftical  and  fpiritual  body,  of 
'^  which  he  is  the  head*." 

This  view  of  our  Lord's  fubjedbs  is 
perfe6tly  agreeable  to  the  nature  and 
genius  of  the  New  Covenant,  with 
which  the  Mefliah's  kingdom  is  clofely 
conne6bed  :  becaufe  it  appears,  thac 
/fubjeds  of  any  other  defcri prion,  have 
no  reafon  to  confider  themfelvcs  as 
covenantees  >  and  it  is  plain  that  a  di- 
vine Covenant  muft  fuit  the  Kingdom 
to  which  it  belongs,  whether  Jewifh; 
or  Chriftjan.---When,  in  the  fulnejs  of 
time^  God  performed  his  gracious  and 
comprehenfive  promife  of  blefling  all 
nations,  it  was  by  the  intervention  of 
a  New  and  better  Covenant  than  that, 
which  was  made  at  Sinai.  For  thus 
it  is  written  :  Behold^  the  days  come^ 
faith  the  Lord^  that  I  will  make  a  New 
Covenant  with  the  houfe  of  Ifrael^  and 
with  the  houfe  of  Judah  :  not  accord- 
ing TO  THE  Covenant  that  I  made 

*  Ohfer'vaU  Sat,   L  V.  C.   (v.     f  8.  See  Dr. 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  %l 

WITH  THEIR  FATHERS,  IN  THE  DAY 
THAT  I  TOOK  THEM  BY  THE  HAND  TO 
BRING      THEM      OUT     OF     THE     LAND     OF 

Egypt  -,  which  my  Covenant  they  brake 
although  I  was  an  hufband  unto  thcm^ 
faith  the  Lord.  But  this  fhall  he  the 
Covenant  that  I  will  make  with  the  houfe 
of  Ifrael^  j^fter  thoje  days^  Jaith  the 
Lord^  1  will  put  my  law  in  thetr  inward 
parts^  and  write  it  in  their  hearts^  and^ 
will  he  their  God^  and  they  fijall  he  my 
people.  And  they  foall  teach  no  more 
every  man  his  neighbour^  and  every  man 
his  brother^  f^yi^g-i  Know  the  Lord:  for 
they  foall  all  know  me^  from  the  leaf  of 
them  unto  the  great  eft  of  ihem^  faith 
the  Lord  :  for  I  will  forgive  their  ini- 
quity^  and  I  ^vlll  remejnber  their  fin  ?io 
more^. 

This  admirably  gracious  Covenant 
is  completely  iutted  to  a  fpiritual  king- 
dom, and  to  the  fubjccbs  we  have  been 
defcribing  :  for  it  announces  no  de- 
(igns,  makes  no  providons,  confers  no 
bieflings,  but  thofe  that  are  fpiritual, 
internal,  and  evcrlafting.  The  true 
knowledge  of  Jehovah,  writing  his 
lavv''  in  the  heart,  forgivenefs  of  all 
iin,  and  perpetual  relation  to  God,  are 

*  Jcr.  xxxi.   31 — 34,  Heb.  viii,  8,  9. 


aa  ESSAYONTHE 

the  bleflings  for  which  it  engages  j 
but  there  is  not  a  word  rerpe6]:ing 
Temporal  hlefCings^  nor  concerning  any 
merely  external  relation  to  the  Great 
Supreme,  though  thele  were  the  grand 
articles  in  theCovenant  made  atHoreb. 
Covenantees,  therefore,  under  the 
Chrlftian  Oeconomy,  can  be  no  other 
than  the  ipiritual  feed  of  Abraham  : 
and  fuch  are  the  rubje(9:s  of  this  king- 
dom. H^nce  the  Gofpel  Covenant  is 
called  new^  and  is  exprefsly  oppofed 
to  the  Sinai  Confederation,  from  which 
it  is  extremely  different.  It  is  alfo 
pronounced  a  better  Covenant  than 
that  which  Jehovah  made  with  the 
ancient  Ifrael  :  and  fo  it  is,  whether 
we  confider  its  obje6Vs,  its  bkilings, 
its  confirmation,  or  its  continuance. 
Its  objecls  :  for  they  are  the  fpiritual 
feed  of  xVoraham,  gathered  out  of  all 
nations.  Its  blejjings  :  for  they  are  all 
fpiritual  and  internal.  \\.s  confirmation: 
for  it  was  ratified  by  the  death  of  Chrift. 
Its  continuance  :  for  it  is  an  everlafling 
Covenant^  ordered  in  all  things  and  Jure. 
Yes,  it  is  as  much  better  than  the 
Covenant  made  at  Sinai,  as  being  the 
children  of  God  by  regeneration,  is 
preferable  to  carnal  deicent  from  A- 
braham---as  the  number  of  God's  ele6t 


KINGDOM    OF     CHRIST         ag 

in  all  nations,  exceeds  that  of  the  cho- 
fen  tribes-'-as  bleffings  entneiy  Ipi- 
ritual  and  immortal,  are  more  excel- 
lent than  thole  of  an  earthly  kind  and 
of  fhort  duration--- as  redemption  irom 
fpiritual  bondage  and  eternal  ruin,  is 
greater  and  nobler  than  deliverance 
from  temporal  flavery — as  the  ratifi- 
cation of  this  Covenant,  by  the  blood 
of  Immanuel,  is  more  facred  than  that 
which  the  Old  Covenant  received  by 
the  flaughter  of  brute  animals — as  the 
Son  o£  God,  the  mediator  of  it,  is 
greater  than  Mofes,  who  appeared 
under  that  character  at  Horcb---and 
as  a  Covenant  of  everlafting  efficacy, 
that  fecures  the  final  happinefs  of  all 
to  whom  it  relates,  is  better  than  one 
of  a  temporary  nature,  which  was  vi- 
olated by  the  covenantee*,  and  is  be- 
come for  ever  obfolete.  Hence  we 
read,  not  only  of  a  better  teftament^ 
but  alfo  of  better  promifes^  on  which 
the  New  Covenant  is  eflabliihed  J  of  a 
better  kope^  introduced  by  it  5  of  bet- 
ter/^m/^^<?j,  by  which  guilt  is  expiated^ 
of  better  things  provided  for  the  Chrill- 
ian,  than  were  enjoyed  by  the  Jewifh 
church  ;  and  of  a  better  country  for 
an  inheritance*,  than  the  earthly  Ca« 

*  Keb.  viii.    6,  vii,  19.  tx.   2  J.  xit  17.    40. 


^4  ESSAYONTHE 

naan.  Nay,  we  are  afTiired  by  an  iil- 
fpired  writer,  that  the  Sinai  Covenant 
and  the  Mofaic  Difpenfation  had  no 
glory  attending  them,  compared  with 
that  of  the  New  Covenant  and  of  the 
Mciliah's  Oeconomy*.  Now,  to  thiij 
more  glorious  Covenant,  the  kingdom 
of  Chrift,  and  the  fubjeds  of  it,  mufta- 
grec.  As, therefore,  none  but  fpiritual 
bleflings  are  contained  in  that  Cove- 
nant y  To  none  but  real  faints  are  the 
fubje6ts  of  our  Lord's  dominion. 

Very  different,  then,  is  the  kingdom 
of  Chrid  from  the  ailcient  Ijraelitijh 
Theocracy.  For,  of  that  Theocracy,, 
all  Abraham's  natural  defcend cuts  were 
true  fubje61:s,  and  properly  qualified 
members  of  the  Jewiih  church  >  fuch 
only  excepted,  as  had  not  been  circum- 
cifed  according  to  the  order  of  God, 
or  were  guilty  of  fome  capital  crime. 
To  be  an  obedient  fubjed:  of  their  ci- 
vil government,  and  a  complete  mem- 
ber in  their  eccleliaflical  ftate,  were 
manifedly  the  fame  thing  •,  becaure,by 
treating  Jehovah  as  their  political 
fovereign,  they  avowed  him  as  the  true 
God,  and  were  entitled  to  all  the  emo- 
luments of  their  N-itionai   Covenant. 

*  2  Cor.  rii.  7—1 1, 


k  I  N  G  t)  0  M    OF    C  H  R1  S  T.  25 

Under  that  Oeconomy,  Jehovah  ac- 
knowledged all  thofe  for  his  people^ 
and  himielf  as  their  God^  who  per- 
formed an  external  obedience  to  his 
commands,  even  though  in  their  hearts 
difaffe^led  to  him*.  Thefe  prerogatives 
were  enjoyed,  independent  of  fan61i Ty- 
ing grace,  and  of  any  pretention  to  it, 
either  inthemfelves,or  iniheir  parents. 

The  ftate  of  things,  however,  under 
the  New  Oeconomy,  is  extremely  dif- 
ferent. For  the  great  Proprietor  and 
Lord  of  the  Chriilian  church,  having 
abfolutely  difclaimed  a  kingdom  that  is' 
of  this  warJd^  cannot  acknowledge  any 
as  the  fiibjedrs  ofhis  government,  who 
do  not  know  and  revere  him--whado 
not  confide  in  hrm,  and  (Incerely  love 
him.  Having  entirely  laid  afidethofs 
enfigns  of  political  fovereignty,  and 
thoie  marks ofextcrnal^randeur, which 
made  fiich  a  fplendid  appearance  in  the 
Jewifh  Theocracy  5  he  difdains  to  be 
called  the  Kinr^^  or  the  Gud^  of  any 
perfon  who  does  not  obey  and  worfhip 
him  in  fpirit  and  in  truth.  Appearino;  as 
I'^ehead  of  his  church,  merely  undeinhe 
G 

*  Jndges  vi'j';,  23.  i  Sam.  viii   6,  7.sndxiL   \i> 
2  Chron.  xxviii,  5.  ss'k.  23.  2  Chron.  ix.  b'. 


l6  ESSAYONTHE 

chnrr.der  ofa  fpiritiial  monarch,  over 
whomfoever  he  reigns,  it  is  in  the  iin- 
derdanding,  by  the  light  of  his  truth  > 
in  the  coniciencc,  by  the  force  of  his 
authority  -,  and  in  the  heart,  by  the  in- 
fluence of  his  love  :  for  as  to  all  others, 
his  dominion  is  that  of  Providence,  net 
that  of  Grace. --The  New  Telhment 
affords  no  moreground  for  concluding, 
thatourbeing  defccnded  froniparentsof 
a  certain  defcnption,  conftitutes  us  the 
fubjedsof  our  Lord's  kingdom^  than 
it  does  to  fuppofe,  that  carnal  defccor, 
in  a  particular  line  of  anceflry,  confers 
a  claim  to  the  chara<5ler  and  work  of 
miniilers  in  the  fame  kingdom. 

It  is  of  great  importance  to  the  right 
interpretation  of  many  pafTages  in  the 
Old  Teftament,  that  this  particular  be 
well  underftood  and  kept  in  view.  Je- 
hovah is  very  frequently  reprcfented  as 
the  Lord  and  God  of  ail  the  ancient 
Ifraelites  -,  even  where  it  is  manifeft 
that  multitudes  of  them  v/ereconfider- 
ed  as  deftitute  of  internal  piety,  and 
many  of  them  as  enormoufiy  wicked. 
How,  then,  could  he  be  called  f/ieir 
Lord,  and  t/ieir  God,  in  diflindiion  from 
his  relation  to  Gentiles,  (whofe  crea- 
tor, benefa61:or,  and  fovereignhe  was) 
except  on  the  ground  of  the  Sinai  Cove- 


K  I  N  G  D  O  M    O  F     CHRIST.        ay 

nant  F  He  was  their  Lord^  as  being  the 
fovereign  whom,  by  a  federal  traniaiSti- 
on,  they  were  bound  to  obey,  in  oppo- 
fition  to  every  political  monarch,  who 
fliould  at  any  time  preiume  to  govern 
them  by  laws  of  his  own.  He  was  their 
God^  as  the  only  obje6l  of  holy  wor- 
fhip3  and  whom,  by  the  fame  National 
Covenant,  they  had  folemnly  engaged 
to  ferve  according  to  his  own  rule,  in 
oppoilcion  to  every  Pagan  idol.  Hut 
that  National  relation  between  Jehovah 
and  Ifrael  being  long  iince  diflolved, 
and  the  Jew  having  no  prerogative 
above  the  Gentile  >  the  nature  of  the 
Gofpel  Oeconomy,  and  the  Meffiah's 
kingdom,  abfolutely  forbids  our  fup- 
pofing,  that  either  Jews  or  Gentiles  are 
warranted  to  call  the  Great  Supreme 
TUEiR  Z.ord^  OY  THEIR  Gor/,  if  they  do 
not  yield  willing  obedience  to  him,  and 
perform  fpiritual  worfliip.  It  is,  there- 
fore, either  for  want  ofunderdandmg, 
or  of  coniidering,  the  nature,  arpc<5i:, 
and  influence  of  the  Sinai  Con{lirution, 
that  many  perfons  dream  oftheNev/ 
Covenant,  in  great  numbers  of  places, 
where  Mofes  and  the  Prophets  had  no 
thought  about  it  >  but  had  the  Conven- 
tion at  Horeb  directly  in  view.  It  is 
owing  to  the  fame  ignorance,  or  inad- 


^8  E  S>  AY    ON    THE 

vertency,  that  Others  argue  from  vari- 
ous paflages  in  the  Old  Tcllament,  for 
julHiication  before  God  by  their  own 
obedience,  and  againllthc  final  perfe- 
yerance  of  real  fainis.  Becaufc,  to  be 
entitled  to  national  happinefs,  by  per- 
forming the  conditions  of  the  Sinai  Co- 
venant, and  to  lofe  that  right  by  back- 
iliding  into  profligacy  of  manners  -,  are 
very  different  things,  from  obtaining 
juftincation  before  God,  and  forfeiting 
an  interefl  in  the  great  Redeemcr--fo 
different,  thatthereis  no  arguing  from 
the  one  to  the  other. 

Again  :  As  none  but  real  Chriilians 
are  the  fubjccbs  of  our  Lord's  kingdom, 
.  neither  adults,  nor  infants,  can  be  mem- 
bers of  the  Gofpel  Church,  in  virtue  of 
an  external  covenant,  or  of  a  relative 
holincfs.  A  ftrikingdifparity  this,  be- 
tween the  Jewilli  and  the  Chriftiau 
church.  Of  this  difference  we  may  be 
afllired  by  coniidcring.  That  a  barely 
relative  fantSlity,  fiippofes  its  pofTcirors 
to  be  the  people  of  God  in  a  merely  ex- 
ternal fenfe :  that  fucli  an  ext-ernal  peo- 
ple, fuppofes  an  external  covenant, 
or  one  that  relates  to  exterior  con- 
duel;  and  temporal  bleilings  :  and  an 
.  external  covenant  fuppofes  an  ex- 
ternal king..      Now  an  external  king^ 


K  I  N  GD  O  M    or    C  H  Pv  I  S  T.  QlOs 

is  a  political  fovereign  :   but  fuch  is  not 
our  Lord  JefusChriltjiiotyet  the  divine 
Father.  Once5indeed.,i.t  was  othcrwife: 
for,  concerning  the  llraeUtilli  nation,  ic 
is  thus  written  >   /,  Jehovah,  will  be  thy. 
king.  Gideo'rifald  umo  them^  I  will  ?70t  rule 
over  you^  neit  her  fiall  jny  [on  rule  over  you, 
Jehovahffjall  rule  over  you.  Jehovah^  your- 
God^  was  your  ki:ig*.-\x.  was  the  peculiar 
honor  and  happinefs  of  iiraeljto  have  a 
Sovereign  who  was  the  only  objc6i:of 
their  worfhip.     For  thus  the  Pfalmiil: 
ijngs  -y   Blejfedisihs  nation^  whofc  (king) 
Jehovah  is  their  God-\  /  Hence  Jeho- 
vah's   complaint  3   They    have  rejected 
me^  that  I  pjould  not  reign  over  thernX, 
Yes,  Jehovah,  as  a  temporal  monarch; 
flood  related  to  the  ancient  Ifraelites, 
'^i^d.  entered  into  a  federal  tranfadrion 
with  them  at  Sinai,  not  onlyastheOb- 
jed   of  their    worfhip,  but   as    their 
King,     their  judicial   and  civil   infii- 
tutes,  their  laws  of  war  and  of  peace, 
•various  orders  refpecling  tlielandthev 
occupied,    and    the    annual  acknow- 
ledgments to  the  great  Proprietor  of 

c  ^   ■ 

*  Hofeaxiii.  10.  Judges  vlli  23  1  Sar^i.  xlf,  !2» 
\  Ff.  xxx'ii.  13  and  cxliv.  15.  luh.  See  the  Sep- 
tuagint  Verfion,  aud  that  of  Junius  and  Tre-- 
MELLius;  together  with  PoLi  Synopf.  and  Vt-. 
-^SM.^  Czmmmt*  In  Ice  X  1  Ssrp.  ?Iii,  7. 


3P  E  S  S  A  Y.    O  N    T  H  2 

it,  were  all  from  God,  as  their  politi* 
cal  fov4ireign.  Hence  all  the  natural 
pollerity  of  Abraham  were  Jehovah's 
people,  on  the  ground  of  an  external 
covenant  made  with  the  wholenation. 
The  children  of  Ifracl,  being  diftln-* 
guifhed  from  the  Gentile  world,  by  a 
fyftcm  of  ceremonial  preceptS5and  their 
divine  Sovereign  redding  among  them, 
were  denominated  a  holy  station  :  for 
that  external  fandlity  which  they  pof^ 
fefled,  feems  to  have  arifea,  partly  from 
their  National  Cov€?tant^  and  partly 
from  their  having  the  Divine  Prefence^ 
among  them.  By  the  former,  they 
renounced  idolatry  in  all  its  forms,  and 
gaveup  themfelves  to  Jehovah  in  op- 
pofition  to  the  falfe  objects  of  Pagan 
worfhip  5  which  feparation  to  the  (er- 
vice  of  God,  is  denominated  kolinefs. 
By  the  latter,  they  had  a  kind  of  local 
nearnefs  to  God,  which  conferred  a 
relative  fan(5lity  >  as  appears  by  various 
inilances.  When,  for  example,  Mo fes 
Avith  aftoainiment  beheld  the  burning 
bulb,  the  ground  on  which  he  flood 
was  pronounced  holy^  becaufe  of  Jeho- 
vah's peculiar  prefence  there.  Thus  it 
was  in  the  cafe  of  Jofhua:  and  fo  in 
regard  to  the  place  of  our  Lord's  trans- 
figuration >  for  Peter,  calls  it  the  holy 


K  I  N  G  D  O  M    O  F    C  H  R.  I  S  T.  3  I 

mou?2t*.  And  why  was  part  of  the  an- 
cient fandtuary  called  the  mofi  holy  pace? 
but  becaufe  Jehovah  in  a  lingular  man*- 
ner,  and  under  a  vilible  emblem,  dweU 
there.  Hence  it  is  raanifeft,  that  the 
Divine  Prefence,  v/hethcr  under  the 
form  of  an  auguft  perjonage^  as  in  the 
cafe  of  Jol]iua3  or  under  the  emblera 
o^ devouring firc^^s  in  thebulh^  and  up- 
on mount  Sinait  >  or  under  the  milder 
appearance  of  ^  Iv/mlmns  cloudy  as  over 
the  mercy  feat,  and  at  our  Lord's  trans  - 
figuration,  confers  a  relative  holinefs. 
It  is  alfo  equally  plain,  that  this  mira- 
culous prefence  of  God  being  with^ 
drawn  from  the  feveral  places  to  which 
we  have  jull  adverted,  they  have  now 
no  more  holinefs  than  any  other  part  of 
the  earth. 

So  the  Ifraelites,  being  feparated 
from  all  other  nations  for  the  worfhip 
of  Jehovah  as  their  God,  to  the  excluli-- 
on  of  ail  idolatry  ,  avowing  fubjcction 
to  him  as  their  king,  in  contradidindli- 
onto  all  other  fovereigns  5  and  he  red* 
ding  among  them  in  the  fandiuary,  n; 
in  his  royal  palace  5   there  was  a  rela« 

*>Exo.d.Iii.  5.     Jofir.v.  15.  2  Pet.  I.  18., 
f  Exou.  xlx,.  i8» 


3*1    ,  ESSAYONTHE 

tive  holinefs  attending  their  perfons, 
and  almofl  every  thing  penaining  to 
them.  For  not  only  Jehovah's  royal 
pavilion,  with  ull  its  utcnfils  and  fer- 
vices  j  the  minilters  of  that  landuary 
and  their  feveral  veftmentS)  but  the 
people  in  general,  the  metropolis  of 
their  country,  the  houfes  of  indivi- 
duals, the  land  cultivated  by  them,  and 
the  produce  of  that  land,  were  all 
lliled  holy* . — The  Divine  Prefence  re- 
ading among  them,  appears  to  have 
had  an  extenfive  influence  upon  the 
people,  with  regard  to  relative  fane- 
tity  and  external  purity.  So,  in  cafes 
oF  corporal  pollution  by  difeafe,  the. 
patients  were  to  be  excluded  from  the 
common  intercourfes  of  fociety,  that 
they  might  not  defile  the  camp,  in  the 
midil:  of  which  their  fublime  Sovereign 
dweltf.  Nay,  divine  law  exprefsly 
required,  that  even  the  furface  of  the 
ground  on  which  they  trod  Ihould  be 
preferved  from  one  fpecies  of  defile- 
ment j  and  the  injunction  is  enforced 
by  this  confia'eration,  For  Jehovah  thy 
God  walketh  in  the  inidft  of  the  carnpX, 

*  See  Exod  xxvlii.  2,  4  xxix.  1.  Lev  xix. 
23,  24..  XX.  26  XXV  2,  4.  xxvii.  14,  30.  Numb, 
xvi.  r^,  3^.   XXXV.  34.  Deut.  vii.  6  f  Nun-b. 

V.  2,  3.  and  XXXV.  34.   %   Dcut,  xxiil.  13,   13,  24 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.         33 

Remarkably  to  our  purpofe  is  the 
declaration  of  God,  when  fpeaking  of 
the  ancient  fancStuary  -y  There  I  will  meet 
with  the  children  of  Ifrael^  and  Ifrael 
(not  the  tabernacle)  pall  be  fanElified 
by  ?ny  glory.^.  For,  as  Venema  ob- 
fervcs,  <^-'  neither  the  tabernarle  nor  the 
^'  altar ^  is  to  be  imderfiood  ;  but  the 
"  J [r  a  elites  themfelves^  as  appears  by 
'^  the  conne6lion  and  leries  of  the 
''  difcourfe.  Becaufe,  in  the  imme- 
"  diately  following  verfe,  the  fan6ti- 
^'  fication  of  the  tabernacle,  and  of 
'^  the  altar,  is  exprefsly  mentioned. 
'*•  Befides,  it  is  plain  that  the  external 
'•  fymbol  of  Jehovah's  prefcnce,  was 
^^  a  fufficient  indication  of  God's  glory 
^'  in  the  tabernacle.  Thus  the  holinefs 
^'  of  the  people,,  equally  as  that  of 
^'^  places,  was  derived  from  the  ex* 
^'  ternal  prefence  of  Godt.'' — Now, 
as  the  Divine  Prefence  had  a  local,  vi- 
fible  refidence  over  the  mercy-feat, 
which  was  the  throne  of  Jehovah  ;  as 
that  Prefence  among  the  Ifraelites  had 
iuch  an  extenfive  operation  upon  their 
date,  both  in  rcfpecl  of  privilege  and 
•of  duty  i    as  the  whole  nation  was  a 

*   Exod.      xxlx,    43,      Vid.   JuNiuM   and 
Tremell.    in  loc. 

f  UiiTertat.  Sac,  L.  ii.  C,  uu  $  ^. 


34  ESSAYONTHE 

typical  people,  nnd  a  great  partcf  their 
worfhip  of  a  fhadowy  nuture  >  we 
need  not  wonder,  that  in  fuch  an  eccle- 
fiadico-political kingdom  almoll every 
thing  iliould  be  cileemed,  in  a  relative 
kn{{^^  holy. 

Under  the  GofpelDifpenratlonjhoW- 
<?ver,  thefe  peculiarities  have  no  exig- 
ence. For  ChrJil  has  not  made  an 
external  covenant  with  any  people. 
He  is  not  the  king  of  any  particular 
nation.  He  dwells  not  in  a  palace  made 
with  hands.  His  throne  is  in  the 
heavenly  fandluary  ;  nor  does  he  af- 
ford his  vifible  Prefence  in  any  place 
upon  earth.  The  partition  wall  be- 
tv/een  Jews  and  Gentiles  has  longbcen 
demolifhed  :*and,  confequently,  our 
divine  Sovei*ergn  does  not  (land  related 
ro  any  people,  or  to  any  perfon, To  as 
to  confer  a  relative  fimdtity,  or  to  pro- 
duce  an  external  holinefs 

While  the  Sinai  Covenant  continued 
in  force,  the  Son  of  God  was  the  King 
of  the  Jews:  for  though,  by  Saul  and 
others  bearing  the  regal  character,  the 
Divine  government  was  obfcured, 
yet  it  was  not  aboliihed.  The  king- 
dom of  Ifrael,  in  the  hands  of  the   Sons 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRISTT.  35 

of  David^  being  denominated //^i?  king- 
dom of  Jehovah;  the  throne  on  which 
Solomon  fat  being  called  the  throne 
of  Jehovah^  j  and  the  laws  ot  the  Hate 
being  Hill  divine,  we  are  led  to  view  the 
Jewifh  kings  as  \}[\^vicege rents  of  Jeho- 
vahi". — In  this  light  the  queen  of  She- 
ba  confidered  Solomon  when  fhe  faid  j 
Blefjcd  he  the  Lord  thy  God^  which  de^ 
lighted  in  thee  to  fet  the  §n  his  throne, 
to  be  king  for  the  lord  thy  god||. 
Of  the  Jewilh  magiftrates  it  is  alfo 
written,  Ye  judge  not  for  man^  hut  for 
Jehovah^.  Now  fo  long  as  a  political 
relation  fubfiiled  between  the  Son  of 
God  and  the  feed  of  Abraham,  an  exter- 
nal holinefs  continued,  as  refulting 
from  that  relation.  But  though  this 
foundation  of  relative  fandlity  was 
not  removed  till  the  death  ofChriil, 
there  is  no  intimation  in  the  Evangeli- 
cal Hiilory  of  any  one  being  entitled 
to  a  New  Tellament  rite,  or  to  thecha- 
rafter  of  a  fubjed  in  the  Mefliah's 
kingdom,  in  virtue  of  that   holinefs. 

*  :?.  ChroTi.  xill- S^  l  Chron.  xxiii.  5.  ard 
xxix.  23  t  Vid.  WiTsii  Mifcell.Sac.  Tom.  II 
p  920—936.  Venemae.  Hiji.  Ecclef  Vet.  Teft. 
Tom.  L  $198.  Dffertat,  Sac^  L.  li.C.iv.  §  2 
Chron,  !x.  8 


3^  ESSAYONTHE 

Nay5the  reverfe  appears  in  the  condu^ 
ofjohn  toward  tbejews*. 

The  Covenantmade  at  Horeb  having 
long  been  obfolete,  all  its  peculiarities 
are  vanifhed  away  ;  among  which,  re- 
lative r?A\d:ity  made  a  conlpicuous 
figure.  That  National  Conftitution 
being  abolifhcdjjehovah's  political  ic- 
vcreignty  is  at  an  end.  The  covenant 
therefore  now  in  force,  and  the  royal 
relation  of  our  Lord  to  the  church,  are 
entirely  fpiritual.  All  that  external 
hxolinefs  of  perfons,  of  places,  and  of 
thing?,  which  exifted  under  the  Old 
Oecon-^  my,  is  gone  for  ever  :  To  that  if 
the  profertbrs  of  Chriltianity  do  not 
pofTefs  a  real,  internal .  fanctity,  they 
have  none  at  all. ---The  National  Con- 
fedefation  at  Sinai  is  exprefsly  contraf- 
tcd,  in  holy  Scripture,  with  the  New 
Govenantf  :  and  though  the  latter  ma- 
nifeftiy  provides  for  internal  holincfs, 
refpecting  all  the  covenantees,  yet  it 
fays  not  a  word  about  relative  fantSlity. 
And,  indeed,  liov/ iliould  it*?  fince,  by 
its  commencement,  the  whole  Sinai 
Conftitution    became    obfolete  >     the 


*   2  Cliron,  xix.  6.  §  Matt.  iil.  7— »I2«  f  Jcr. 
£xxi.  qi — 34.     Hcb.  riii.  7 — 13. 


K  I  NGDO  M    OF    CHRIS  T.  '  37 

partition  wall  was  broken  down;  the 
fpecial  relation  between  God  and  A- 
braham's  natural  feed  ceafed,  and  letc 
no  difference  of  a  religious  kind  be- 
tween Jews  and  Gentiles---no  differ- 
ence, in  refpe^t  of  nearnefs  to  God 
and  communion  with  him,  except 
that  which  regeneration  and  faith  in 
Chriil  produce.  For,  under  the  pre- 
lent  Difpenfation,  Chrifi  is  all  in  all. 
We  may  therefore  fafely  conclude, 
that  were  the  Jews  converted  and  rc- 
fettled  in  Paleftine,  both  they  and  their 
infant  offspring  would  be  as  entirely 
deditute  of  the  ancient  relative  holi- 
nefs,  as  thofe  Mahommedans  are  who 
now  rcfide  in  that  country. 

But  did  an  external  holinefs  now 
exill,  we  ffiould  be  obliged  to  consider 
it  as  very  different  from  that  of  the 
ancient  Ifraelites  :  for  it  appears,  bv 
what  has  been  faid,  that  the  grounds 
of  their  exterior  fandlity  make  no  pare 
of  the  Chriflian  Oeconomy.  Befides, 
their  holinefs  extended  to  the  whole 
nation  :  but  in  what  Utopia  fliall  v/e 
find  all  the  inhabitants  polTeffedof  this 
relative  purity  ?  Theirs  continued  as 
long  as  they  lived  s  except  they  com- 
D 


38  ESSAYONTHE 

mined  fome  enormous  crime,  by  which 
they  forfeited  their  lives,  or  were  caft 
out  of  the  congregation,  for  it  did 
not  wear  out  by  age,  nor  was  it  loft 
merely  by  continuing  in  a  iiate  of  un- 
regenciiicy.  Whereas,  that  external 
hoiincfs  for  which  io  many  plead,  is 
not  generally  confidered  by  them  as 
extending  beyond  the  time  of  infancy. 
—  But  why  diould  any  contend  for  the 
relative  holinefs  of  infants,  who  deny 
7L  fandlity  of  that  Icind,  to  places  of 
W'orlhip,  clerical  habits,  and  various 
other  things  ?  for  it  is  plain  that  the 
Jewifii  external  purity,  whether  of 
perfons,  of  places,  or  of  things,  ori- 
ginated in  the  iame  Nntional  Cove- 
nant, and  in  the  fame  relation  of  God 
ro  Ifrael  :  and,  confequently,  raufl 
•have  the  fame  duration  in  one  cafe,  as 
in  another.  We  may  therefore  jullly 
conclude,  that  the  federal  and  relative 
holircfs  of  which  fo  many  fpeak,  nei- 
ther agrees  with  the  laws  of  Judaifm, 
nor  with  the  nature  of  Chriilianity. 
But  if  fo,  it  cannot  belong  to  the 
kingdom  of  Chriit. 

Further  :  If  all  the  fiibje61:s  of  Chrifl 
be  real  faints,  it  may  be  jiiftly  queried 
whether  any  National  religious    efta^ 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  39 

hViJhment  can  be  a  part  of  his  kingdom. 
That  multitudes  of  individuals  be- 
longing to  inch  eilabliihrnents  are  Tub- 
je<5i:s  ot"  the  King  xMeiliah,  is  cheer- 
fully granted  :  but  is  it  not  plain,  that 
a  National  church  is  inimical  to  the 
fpirit  of  our  Lord's  declaration.  My 
kingdorfi  is  not  of  this  M'orld ?  Does  not 
that  comprehenfive  and  important  fay- 
ino;  coniDel  us  to  view  the  church  and 
the  world  in  a  centrafted  point  of 
light  ?  And  does  not  the  idea  of  a  Na- 
tional church  lead  us  to  confound  them  ? 
Does  it  not  manifeilly  confound  tha 
churck  0^ the  firft'hor'ri^^vkich  are  written 
in  heaven  ;  with  the  world ^  that  lies  in 
wickedfiefs^  whofc  names  are  entered 
in  pariihi  regiilers*  ?---The  fubjecls  of 

*   It  has  been  well  obfcrved  by  a  fenfiblc  writer, 
that  when   Jefus  toM  Pilate     "the    folc  end  of  his 

<i  kinc^dom  and  of  his  coming  into  the  world,  was 

«i  truth    and  the  propagation  of  it  i   Pilate    fays, 

««  IVh  it  is  truth  P   He  knew  very  well  that  truth  had 

4t  little    or  nothing  to  do     with    the    maxims  of 

,«  vrordly  policy  :   that  he,  that    is  Jefus,  was  not 

(<  at  all  likely  te  be    a  coQipctitor   with  Caefar  .• 

»<  that    a  iingJom  6 f  truth  could  not  interfere  with 

•«  the  claima   of  his    mafter  .*  that  it  was  triHing 

««  to  accufc   him    as    an    enemy    to  Caefar.      But 

t«  thea,  had    jefus  faid  that  he  was  fetting^  upon  a 

««  kingdom  that  claimed  an  al  iance  wiih  the  lUte, 

•*  and   which  pretended  to    a  fupremacy,  Fi. ate 


4<^  ESSAYONTHE 

our  Lord's  kingdom  are  born  of  God, 
are  called  out  of  the  world  5  but  na- 
tural birth  and  local  circumflances  are 
coniidered,  either  as  giving  member- 
fhip,  or  as  entitling  to  a  pofitive  rite 
which  confers  niembcrfhip,  in  a  Na- 
tional church.  The  Church  of  Eng- 
land, for  inllance,  includes  all  Englifh 
fubjc6ls  of  the  Britilli  crown,  whether 
ihcy  be  moral  or  profligate,  pious  or 
profane;  fuch  only  excepted,  as  have 
not  been  baptized,  or  as  lie  under  a 
fentence  of  excommunication.  Nay, 
fo  tenacious  is  the  Englifli  Church  of 
this  idea,  as  to  conlider  numbers  with- 
in its  pale,  who  never  conlidered  them- 
ielves  in  that  light.  For,  in  certain 
cafes,  well  known  to  the  do6i:ors  in 
Canon  Law,  Proteflant  DifTentcrs,  and 
even  Popilh  recufants,  are  caft  out  of 
its  comnnmiovLr --caj}  out^  with  dread-^ 
ful  penalties  annexed,  though  they 
never  acknowledged  themfelves  to 
be  in  I 

The  Church  of  England,  indeed,  is 
manifelUy  a  fecular  kingdom.     For  it 


*'  would  havdincl  whereof  to  sccufe  him."  Ccm- 
mrnton  Bp,  War  burton's  /liliance  beliveen  Church 
Mr,d  Siaie,  p.  9« 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIS  T .  4  i 

is  edabliihed  by  human  laws,  and  ac- 
knov/ledges  a  political  head  :  nor  is  it 
eileemed  material  whether  that  head 
be  male  or  female.  It  is  a  creature  of 
the  (late,  fupported  by  the  ftate,  in- 
corporated v/ith  the  ftate,  and  gov- 
erned by  a  code  of  laws  confirmed  by 
tfee  (Ute---a  code,  very  different  from 
the  facred  canons  of  the  New  Teda- 
ment  5  thofe  being  quite  foreign  to  its 
conflitution.  Its  principal  officers  Jire 
appointed  by  the  crown  ;  and,  in  vir- 
tue of  ecclcfiaftical  ftaiion,  arc  lords 
of  Parliament*.  Nay,  even  the  doc- 
Da. 

*  That  our  firft  Reformers  did  not  approve  of 
fccular  grandeur,  power,  and  cmploynfients,  being 
annexed  to  the  char?dler  of  blfl^ops,  is  very  appa- 
rent. Thus  Mr.  Tyndal,  for  infiance «  "  Is  it 
«*  not  a  (hame  above  all  (hamcs,  and  a  mon" 
«*  ftrous  thing,  that  no  man  fhould  be  found  able 
**  to  go^iern  a  worldly  kiagdam,  lave  bifhops  and 
«*  prelates,  that  are  taken  out  of  the  world, 
•  *  and  appointed  to  preach  the  kingdom  of  God  ? 
**  To  preach  God's  word  is  too  much  for  half  a 
'«  man  ;  and  to  minifter  a  temporal  kingdom  is 
**  too  much  for  half  a  man  alfo  Either  other 
**  requireth  a  whole  man  One  therefore  cannot. 
«*  well  do  both — Wherefore  if  Chrift's  kingdots 
«*  be  net  of  this  ivorldy  nor  any  of  his  difciplcs  may 
*•  be  otherwife  chan  he  was  j  then  Chrift's  vicars, 
*«  which  miniiler  his  kingdom  in  his  bodily  ab- 
**  fence,  and  have  the  overfight  of  hi&  flock,  may 
*[  bs  none  emperors,  kings,  dukes,,  hrdsy  knigb;?, 


4^  ESSAYONTHE  I 

trines  profefTed,  and  the  worfhip  per- 
formed in  that  eftabliHiment,  are  all 
fecularized.  Its  creeds  and  forms  of 
prayer,  its  numerous  rubrics  and  va- 
rious rites,  are  adopted  and  uled  under 
ijie  fanclion  of  civil  authority  Its  Li-. 
turgy,therefore,.maybeju{lly  confider- 
qd  as  an  udcl  of  Parliament  refpedring- 
religious  affairs.  It  mult  therefore  be 
qoniidered  as  a  kingdom  of  this  worlds 

*«  temporal  judges,  or  anv  other  temporal  officer; 
^^  or,  under  any  falfe  names    havt  any  fuch  domi- 
**  nion,  or  minifter    any  fuch  office,  as   requireth  , 
**  violence.'*      Thus  Bp.  Latimer,  in  his   Strmon 
''of  the  Plough  :  *■'   T\iis  much  I  dare  fay     that 

*  fince  lording  and  loitering  hath  come  up,  preach- 
**^  fng  hath  come  down,  contrary  to  the    Apoftles  . 

times       For  they   preached,  and     lorded    not  s 

and  now  they  lord    and  preach  not — Ever   fince 

^  the    prelates  were  made    iords  and    nobles,    the 

'  plough  (iandeth,    there  is    no    work  done    the 

'*  people   ftarve— They    arc     othcrwife    ©ccupied 

*  [than  ia  preaching  :3  fome,  in  kings  matters  ; 
'•  fomeare  ambafladors  :  fome,  of  the  privy  coun- 
'*  cil :  fome,  to  furnifh  the  court  ;  fomc>  hx a  lords 
'♦  of  the  p^irliament  ;  fome  are  prefidents,  and 
*<  comptrollers  of  mints.  Well,  wtjll  Is  this 
**  their  duty  ?  Is  this  their  office  ?  .s  this  their 
*•  calling  i^  Should  we  have  minifters  of  the  church 
**  comptrollers  of  the  mints  ?  Is  this  a  meet  of- 
*«  fice  for  a  prieft,  that  hsth  cure  of  fou's  ?  Is  this 
•*  his  charge  ?  I  would  here  aflc  one  queftion  I 
"*  would  fain  know  who  comtrelleth  the  devil  at 
**  home  iu  bis  parifli,   while  he  comtrollcth  the 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST,  43^^ 

The  tenor  of  the  New  Teftament^ 
however,  agreeably  to  our  Lord's' 
maxim,  lead>  us  to  confider  p^irticular 
churches  as  Congregational  j.  and  as 
conliiting  of  thoie  who  make  a  credi- 
ble proicffi  >n  of  repentance  and  faith. 
Such  congregations,  wherever  they 
be,  conltitute  the  viiible  kingdom  of 
Ghriii:.---That  the  apollolic  churches 
were  Congregatronal,  is  clear  from 
the  facreti  Records  ;  and  that  there- 
wis  no  National  church  for  the  firll 
three  hundred  years,  is  equally  evident. 
Becaufe  there  could  not  be  any  fuch 
eitabliiliment,  till  the  civil  govern- 
ment of  fome  nation  or  other  profefTed 
Ghriftianity  ;  which  was  not  the  cafe 
before  Constantine  afcended  the  Im- 
perial throne.  Then,  indeed,  a  kind 
af  political  Chrillianity  came  into 
fafhion,    which    has    continued    ever^ 

**  mint  ?  [f  the  apoftles  might  not  leave  the  of- 
•«.  fice  of  preachint^  to  be  deacons  (hall  we  leave  it 
«*  for  minting  J*'*  Thus  Bp  Hooper:  '*  Our  bi- 
**  fhops  have  fo  much  wit  they  can  rule  and 
**  ferve,  astht^y  fay  in  both  ftates  .  in  the  churchy 
•*  and  alfo  in  the  civil  policy  vVhen  one  of 
««.them  is  .move  than  any  man  is  able  to  fatisfy, 
«  let  him  do  always  liis  beft  diligence — Vhey 
••  know  that  the  primitive  church  had  no  fuch 
**  biihops  as  be  now  a-days  "  In  Mr  Peircb'6 
VhJicat,  of  D'ljpsnt,     Part  111.  Chap.  }, 


44  <  E  S  S  A  y    O  N   T  H  E 

rmce^and  is  yet  in  great  repute.  Nor 
are  National  churches  likely  to  fail, 
while  tiie  policy  ot  lovereign  princes, 
and  the  pride  or'  afpiring  prelates  can 
fupport  them.  But,  being  eitablilhed 
by  human  laws,  and  each  ot  them  ac- 
knowledging a  viiible  head,  either  civil 
or  ecclefiaftical,  either  prince  or  pon- 
tiff >  they  are  iecular  kingdoms,  and 
unworthy  the  name  of  Chriiiian  church-  - 
es.  . 

Once  more  :  As  none  but  regenerate 
perfons  belong  to  the  kingdom  of 
Chrifl,  no  one  is  a  better  fubjeft  of  his 
dominion,  or  a  more  honorable  mem-  - 
ber  of  his  church,  on  account  oUvealt/i 
or  power ^  o^ parts  or  learning.  Thefe 
things,  though  ufeful  in  their  places, 
of  much  reputation  to  a  fecular  empire, 
and  of  great  confequence  to  it  5  nei- 
ther pertain  to  the  true  glory  of  a 
Chri/tian  church,  nor  to  the  llerling 
worth  of  a  Chriiiian  character.  For 
what  concern  have  worldly  wealth  and 
civil  power,  in  forming  a  fpiritual  cha- 
ra6ler,  or  in  adorning  a  fpiritual  king- 
dom ?  The  greateft  afHuence  and  the 
highed:  authority  that  mortals  can  en- 
joy, add  nothing  to  any  one's  moral 
worth.     No  one  is  a  bertcr  man,  be- 


KINGDOM     OF     CHRIST:         45 

eaufe  he  is  rich  and  powerful  j  northe 
worfe,  becaufe  he  is  poor  and  in  a  low 
llation.  Thefe  things  are  all  exterior 
to  moral  character.  For  the  mod  li- 
centious are  often  exalted  and  wealthy, 
while  the  moft  upright  and  amiable  are 
loll:  in  obfcurity  and  opprefTed  with 
want  Befidesjwhen  wealth,  or  pow- 
er, is  poirefTed  by  a  true  fubje£t  of  our 
Lord's  kingdom,  the  honor  attending 
his  character  does  not  arife  from  his 
riches,  or  his  authority  i  but  from  the 
holinefs  of  his  life,  or  his  likenefs  to  Je- 
fus  ChriU. 

As  our  Britiih  Sovereign  Is  the  foun- 
tain of  honor  to  all  his  fubjt61:s,  even 
fo  is  the  King  Meffiah  to  all  that  arc 
under  his  dominion.  The  only  way 
however  to  be  great  and  honorable  in 
his  kingdom,  is  to  be  humble,  diligent, 
and  ufeful,  in  promoting  the  happi- 
nefs  of  cur  fellow  Chrillians  and  fellow 
creatures,  Foraraongthe  fundaniental 
laws  of  Meiliih's  empire,  the  following 
is  one,  and  it  relates  to  comparative 
honor.'  fFhofoever  will  he  great  among- 
you^  let  him  he  you*'  mtniffer  ;  and  who- 
foever  will  he  chief  among  you^  let  him  be^. 
your  fervant.  Even  as  the  Son  of  man 
cams  not  to  be  minifiercd  unta^  but.  t(^mi^ 


^6  ESSAYONTHE 

nififfr^  and  to  give  his  life  a  ranfom  for 
many*Th\s  being  the  law  of  honor, 
and  the  jule  oFpromotion,  in  the  king- 
dom of  Chriit,  we  may  fafely  conclude, 
that  themeiincrt  domeftic  maybe  a  dig- 
nified chamber  in  a  goipel  church, 
and  adorn  the  dotirine  of  God  our  Saviour: 
while  his  wealthy  and  powerful  mailer, 
profeffing  the  fame  fairh,  may  difgrace 
the  name  of  a  Chriilian,  and  bring  re- 
proach on  the  congregation  to  which 
he  belongs.  If  the  former  be  diligent 
and  faithful  in  his  meniaUlation  :  if  he 
be  found  in  the  faith^  zealous  for  God^ 
and  heavenly  minded  5  he  is  an  honor- 
able fiahjc^l:  of  Jefus  Chriif,  and  high 
in  the  eitimation  of  Heaven.  If,  on  the 
Cf^ntrury,  the  latterbe  form  il  in  his  re- 
ligions proteilion  5  if  hf»  be  unjulf  or 
haughty,  voluptuous  or  covetous  •,  he 
d^'cs  nor  belong  to  the  kinodom  of 
Chrid:,  but  is  raaniteilly  a  lubjec^b  of. 
Satan. 

Nor  do  the  mofl  fhining  mental  ac- 
compli ihments.  or  literary  acquifitions, 
entev  inro  the  true  glory  of  this  king- 
dom. Genius  and  learning,  like  wealth 
and  power,  are  frequently  polTefled  by 

*  Matt.  XX.  26f  zy.     Maik  x*  42—45. 


KINGDOM    OF     CHRIST.       47 

the  word  of  moral  charadlers.  They 
cannot,  therefore,  make  any  part  of 
that  excellence  by  which  the  lubjeds 
ofjeius  Chrifl  are  diitinguifhed  from 
thole fecular  princes.  It  is  not  by  the 
gitts  of  common  Providence,  among 
which  parts  and  learning  make  a  con- 
spicuous figure  i  but  by  the  graces  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  that  any  perion,  as  a 
Chriilian,  is  v/orthy  of  regard. --Yes, 
it  is  taith  in  Chrilt,  and  obedience  to 
him  ',  love  to  God,  and  benevolence 
to  man>  humility,  patience,  andrelig- 
nation5lpiriruality5  and  heavenly  mind- 
ednefs,  which  adorn  the  fubjt  6ls  of  our 
Lord's  klngdom---which  diflinguifh 
them  from  the  children  of  this  world. 
Thefe,  and  fimilar  things,  relpc6t  the 
ftateof  theconfcience,  and  of  the  heart. 
They  form  a  chara<^er  for  eternity,  and 
favour  of  the  heavenly  world.  Where- 
as, learning  and  parts,  equally  as 
wenlth  and  power,  are  quite  ofadifFer- 
ent  nature.  The  dirtiniStion  they  make 
between  one  another  is  entirely  fuper- 
ficial,  and  often  difgraced  by  a  profli- 
gate heart--belongs  only  to  this  world, 
and  has  no  connection  with  heaven. 
But,  as  will  appear  in  its  proper  place, 
the  kingdom  oiChrift  is  nearly  allied  to 
heaven--is  a  ftate  of  preparation  for 


4S  ESSAYONTHZ 

that  fublimeblefledncfsjanintrodudlion 
to  its  employments,  and  gives  an  earned 
of  its  fruitions.  Confequcntly,  the  true 
glory  of  that  kingdom  cannotbutcon- 
ilit,  in  the  lively  exercile  of  holy  tem- 
pers and  heavenly  affedlions*  The 
more  there  is  of  a  likenefs  to  heaven,  in  • 
the  heart  and  life  of  any  Chriftian  >  the 
more  there  is  of  that  honor  which  comes 
from  God^  and  the  more  is  the  caufe  of 
Chrifl  adorned. --To  be  a  real  fubjedof 
this  kingdom,  is  a  much  greater  honor 
-than  merely  to  be  a  Prophet,  or  an  A- 
poftle.  For  Balaam  was  the  former, 
and  Judas  was  the  latere  yet  both  of 
them  were  bafe  and  wretched.  Rejoice 
not  that  the  devils  arefuhje^  to  you  y  but 
rather  rejoice  that  your  names  are  writ- 
ten in  heaven.  Though  'I  fpeak  with  the 
tongues  of  men  and  of  angels^'-and  though 
I  have  the  gift  of  prophecy^  and  under- 
flandallmyjleries  and  all  knowledge ;  and 
though  I  have  all  faith  ^fo  that  I  could  rc" 
move  mountains.^  and  have  no  charity^  lam 
nothings  in  the  cftimate  of  a  fpiritual 
Sovereign,  or  in  reference  to  the  hea- 
venly ftate. 

No  minifter  of  the  word,  therefore, 
when    performing    his    public  work, 
fhoyld  ever  think  of  exalting  himfelf 
as  an  officer  in  this  kingdom,  by  dif- 


K  I  N  G  D  O  M    OF    C  H  R  7  S  1'.  ^p 

pliiying  his  learning,  his  genius,  or  hiN 
eloquence  j   for  that  would  be  to  preack 
himfelf^  not  Chrift  J  ejus  the  Lord  :   but, 
asi/2  the  fight  of  God^  he  lliouid  honellly 
aim  at  commending  himfelfio  every  man' s 
conjcience^  by  manifeflation  of  the  truth. 
Then  will  he  imitate  a  firit  rate  miniller 
in  the  Mefliah*s  kingdom,  and  obtain 
the  approbation   ot   his   divine  Sove- 
reign.--Beiides,  in  thedifplays  of  pro- 
found learning,  by  critical  dirquifition!^ 
cf  great  acumen,  by  metaphyllcal  fpo- 
culations  j    or  of  a  fparkling  genius,  by 
agreeable  turns  ofwit.  Chrift  and  con- 
fcience    feel  their   intereils  but  little 
concerned.     The  former  is  too  obfcr- 
vant  of  the  preacher's  motives,  and  too 
jealous  of  his  own  honor,  to  be  pleat- 
ed v/ith  fuch  a  procedure  •,    nnd  the  lat- 
ter is  either  too  liccpy  to  be  arouled,  or 
too  much  pained  to  receive  relief,   bv 
thofe    means.     If  our  Lord    coniid-.V 
himfelf  as  honored  by    tlic  preacher'; 
labr>\]rs,  and  if  tlie  miniiler  have  any 
reafon  to  expect  fucccf?,it  muilbe  by  a 
fiiithful  and    fimple    promulgation   of 

revealed   truths thofe  truths  wliich 

regard  fupreme  authority  in  the  divine 

law,  and   favin^  g;race  iii  the  ploriou? 

go(pd--tho(e  truth?,  I  will  add^  which 

E 


50  ESSAYONTHE 

lie  open  to  common  capacities.  If  the 
-confcience  receive  advantage,  it  is*  by 
the  operation  of  the  fame  truths^  ei- 
ther as  convincing  of  fin  and  enforcing 
duty,  or  as  revealing  pardon  and  af- 
fording peace.  But  the  honor  ofChrifl 
and  the  tranquility  of  confcience  are 
feldom  promoted,  in  a  public  miniftry, 
bv  the  refcarches  of  learnino:,  or  the 
refinements  of  genius  :  for  they  arc 
too  faered,  and  too  fpiritual,  to  ac- 
knowledge their  obligations  to  fuch 
things. 

The  kingdom  of  Chrift  is  not  of  this 
'ivorld^  wit/i  regard  to  the  means  he  em- 
ployed in  its  fir fi  efiahlifiment^  and  ihojc 
lie  appointed  for  its  enlargement  and  [up- 
v^rt.  Craft  and  violence^  injunice  and 
cruelty,  Iiave  been  commonly  ufed  in 
the  founding,  fupporting,  and  extend- 
ing of  fecular  kingdoms.  The  Roman 
L-mpire  was  founded,  and  grew  to  its 
licight,  in  blood.  Even  the  Jewifh 
jcpublic  waseflablifned,  enlarged,  and 
defended  by  force  of  ai'ms.  The  Ca- 
j:aanitifli  nations,  on  account  of  their 
'jiiormous  wickednefs,  were  extermi- 
li.ircd  by  the  fword  of  Ifrael  >  or,  if 
iparcd  hy  the  chofcn  tribes,  became 
p-iijutarv' to  then:.     This,  thoUgh  ac- 


2C  I  N  G  D  O  M    OF    C  H  R  I  S  r .  5  i 

cording  CO  jGnovah's  appointmenr,  a-. 
the  great  Proprietor  of  the  whole  er.rth-, 
and  chough  a  righteous  cxecutio!i  o-" 
puniihaienc,  for""  acts  of  rcbeliion 
againil  che  Eternal  Sovereign-,  wa^^a 
plain  iftdication  char,  in  various  rui- 
pe6ts^  the  Ifraclitiih  cluirch  was  a 
ki!igdomofchi>  world.  Such  alfo  v/.v; 
tiiat  kingdom  of  iheMeiiiah  which  tl<o 
carnal  Jews  in  our  Lord's  time  valnl-/ 
expected,  whenever  the  great  promii(; 
made  to  their  fathers  iliould  be  fulfilled: 
for  they  dreamed  of  being  exalted  to 
the  highed:  pitch  of  poiiticalgrarideur^ 
and  of  having  all  the  other  nations  un- 
der their  control. — The  principle 
inftruments  employed  by  princes,  to 
eilablilli^mainta inland  extend  their  do- 
minions, are-^notperfons  tlie  moil  re- 
markable for  integrity  and  benevo- 
lence, forpiety  and  philanthropy  J-  but: 
thofe  v/ho  are  moll  eminent  for  politi- 
cal prudence,  or  martial  bravery  >  for  ' 
fecret  intrigue,  or  open  hoflility-- 
thofe  who  are  bed  qualified  to  per- 
fuade  by  eloquence,  to  circumvent  bv 
cunning,  or  to  fubdueby  force. 

Bnt^the  moil:  illudrious  inftrument? 
employed  by  our  Anointed  Prince  in  the-/* 
ere6ling  of  his  monarchy^    were  of  n 


ESSAY    ON    THE 


character  quite  the  reverfe.  They 
were  chiefly  feleded  from  the  lower 
orders  of  life,  and  called  from  occupa- 
tions efteemed  mean.  Uneducated  in 
the  courts  of  royalty,  in  the  fchools  of 
learning,  or  in  tJie  field  of  war  >  they 
Avere  llrangers  to  thefinefi'e  of  politici- 
ans, little  acquainted  with  Gentile  phi- 
lofophy,  and  unpraclifed  in  the  art  o>f 
eloquence.  It  may  be  jullly  prefum- 
cd,  therefore,  that  a  firong  degree  of 
rudicity  appeared  in  their  drefs,  their 
a fpe^^,  and  their  accent:  fortheywere 
a  pparently  unlearned  and  unpolified  men. 
So  ignorant  were  they  of  fciences  cal- 
led liberal,  fo  un polite  in  their  add refs, 
and  fo  uncanonical  in  their  garb,  that 
multitudes  called  Chriilians,  it  is  highly 
piobable,  would  be  affiamed  to  give 
I  hem  a  hearings  were  they  now  prefent 
among  us  >  unlcfs  the  public  attention 
were  firfc  excited,  by  the  excrcife  of 
their  miraculous  powers. --Yes,  by  the 
inflrumentality  of  thofe  unlettered  and 
})lain  men  did  our  Lord  ered  his  king- 
dom, or  cibibliili  the  gofpel  church. 
In  making  w^ar  upon  Satan's  empire, 
evangelical  truth  and  fpiritual  gifts, 
laborious  preaching  and  ardent  grayer, 
fortitude,  patience,  and  a  holy  exam- 
ple, were  the  arms  they  ufed.     SucM 


K  I  NG  D  O  M    O  F    C  H  R  I  S  T.  53 

were  the  militia,  and  fuch  thearmourp 
employed  by  our  divine  Sovereign  3, 
yet  perfe6lly  luited  to  the  nature  of  hi.-: 
kingdom.  For  it  is  an  empire,  not  01 
fecular  power  and  external  pomp  3  bu-: 
of. truth  and  ofrighteoufnefs,  of  lov-^r 
and  of  peace.  , 

Were  the  Meffiah's  kingdom  oft/;/' 
world^  his  loyal  fubjefts  might  lawful- 
ly take  thefword,  to  repel  ailaiiants  and 
fubdue  hi.s  enemies:  for  without  the 
liberty  of  fuch  defence,  no  fecular  fcate 
can  long  fubfid.  This,  however,  he 
abfolutely  pohibited  :  which  prohibi- 
tion is  founded  in  the  peculiar  nature  of 
his  kingdom.  ,  For  thus  he  fpeaks,  to 
one  who  thought  of  defending  his  per- 
fon  and  caufe  by  force  3  Put  upihy  fworc"^ 
into  the  fie  at  h.  Soon  after,  on  another 
occafion,  he  faid  >  If  my  kiv.gdgyn  were 
of  this  world  ^  then  rv'oiild  my  few  ants  fight  ^ 
that  I  fijould  not  he  delivered  to  the  Jews : 
hut  now  is  my  kingdom  not  from  hence^\ 
As  by  the  particle  now-,  our  fpiritual  So- 
vereign apparently  refers  to  his  king- 
dom among  thf^Jews  5  iolie  feems  to 
diilingui/h  his  dominion  ]\\  the  gofpel 
church,  from  that  over  the  Ifr.ielitiili 
nation,  E  a 


54  ESSAY    ON    TH-E 

Informer  times,  thcFloly  Spirit  fre- 
quently came  upon  the  lubjc&s  of  Je- 
hovali's  government,  to  infpire  them 
with  martial  courage  for  the  defence  of 
his  kmgdomjand  to  dellroy  hiscnemies». 
Hence,,  among  the  ancient  worthies,^ 
Ave  read  of  thole  v^'hojuhdued  kingdoms^ 
waxed  valiant  i  n fight  ^  and  put  to  flight  the 
armies  of  the  aliens.  But  the  difciples- 
oFChrilf  beingcalled  to  a  different  kind 
of  conflidb,  divine  energy  is  granted 
for  a  different  purpofe.  The  military 
ferv'^ice  of  a  Chrillian,  as/uch,  is  entire- 
ly of  a  fpi ritual  nature.  It  is  a  good^ 
fight  of  faith:  -^  ftriving  againft  fin^  in 
himfelf,  and  in  the  world  around  him  :. 
XK  holding  fafi  the  prof efiipn  of  his  fait  h^  in 
fpite  of  all  oppoiition.  The  Chridian 
Jiero  is  conformed  to  tlie  captain  of 
lalvation,  in  maintaining  the  truth,  and 
in  bearing  the  crofs  ^  in  enduring  thq 
contradi6lion  of  fmncrs,  and  in  defpi- 
iing  the  faame  that  is  call  upon  him. 
His  accoutrements  are,  as  Paul  informs 
us,  The  girdle  of  trutJiy  T^wd.  the  hreaft- 
ol:ite  of  right  eon  fnefis  3  the  fllield  of  faith  y 
and  hemic t  of  hope ^  and  thefwordofthe 
Spirit'^' .  Such  is  the  armour  provided. 
l>y  the  Kin-?,  Meiiuih  lor  his  devoted 

■'  P,;)h(.r.  vi.    ic~i8.   I  ThcfT.  v.  8,  3  Cor.  -s* 


K  I  MG-D  O  M    O  y    C  H  a  I  S  T.  53 

fubjeccs  5  by  which  ihey  are  enabled 
to  defend  theiiifeives,  and  to  promote 
the  general  intereils  of  his  kingdom. 
This  holy  empire  depends  not  upon 
power,  wealth,  or  learning,,  either  for 
ornament  or  fupport.  Not  by  mighty 
nor  by  powcr^but  by  ?ny  Spirit^  faith  J e-^^ 
hovah. 

Neither  the  force  o^  fecular  powery,. 
nor  the  ^xis  0*1  carnal  policy^  ought  there- 
fore to  be  ufed  in  promoting  the  caufe 
ofChrifl;  :  fuch  things  being  quite  ab^ 
horrent  from  his^  intention,  and  from 
thenature  of  his  kingdom.  Thegreat 
deiign  of  our  Lord  in  founding  a  Spiri- 
tual empire  was,  to  difplay  the  perfec- 
tions of  God  in  the  holinelsand  happi- 
nefs  of  his  chofen  people.  The  king- 
dom ofChrill,  as  before  obferved,  is  a 
dominion  of  truth  and  of  reditude,  of 
love  and  of  peace.  Now  the  intereil.5 
of  fuch  a  monarchy,  and  the  Qwd  pro-. 
pofed  by  it,  cannot  l3e promoted  by  any 
other  than,  fpiritual  means,  and  thofe 
ofdiv^ine  appointment.  It.  is  only  fo 
far  as  the  minds  of  men  are  enlightened 
by  heavenly  truth,,  their  confcienccs- 
;  irnprciied  with  God's  authority,  and 
\  their  hearts  engaged  on  fpiritual  things^, 
that  the  caufe  of  Chi'id  is  advanced^ 


5^  ESSAYON   THE 

But  in  what  way  {hall  perfecuting  force 
be  applied,  to  irradiate  the  dark  under- 
ftanding,  to  arouie  the  (lupid  conici- 
ence^and  to  fan^tify  the  depraved  heart? 
It  is  only  by  the  fruits  of  an  adoring  af- 
fection for  God,  of  iincere  love  to  the 
brethren,  and  of  cordial  goodwill  to  all 
mankind,  that  our  Lord  is  honored,  or 
his  end  anfwered,  by  the  fubjed:s  of  his 
dominion.  How,  then, fhall  coercive 
meafures  increafe  thofe  fruits  of  holi- 
nefs  ?  Or  how.  (liall  malevolence,  in 
any  of  its  infernal  forms,  be  employed 
to  fupport  a  kingdom  of  love  and  of 
peace. 

Nor  are  the  contrivances  of  carnal 
policy  lefs  foreign  to  theoiarure  of  this 
kingdom,  than  the  exertions  of  fecular 
power.  For  v/hat  has  the  policy  of 
princes,  or  of  prelates,  to  do  in  main- 
tainingj  or  in  extending,  an  empire  of 
truth  and  of  rcditude  ?  Truth  fecks  no 
lubterfuge,  and  reftitude  fears  no  exa- 
mination: butthe  operations  of  policy 
are  lubtle,  and  its  lirlt  defigns  are  latent. 
The  policy  of  great  men  may  form  ci- 
vil ella.bliflimenis  of  Chriftianity,  and 
adorn  the  exterior  of  pub/ic  worlliip. 
it  may  dignify  minifters  of  the  word 
with  pompous  titles^  unknown  to  the 


I  K  I  N  G  I>  O  M    O  F    C  H  R  I  S  T.  57 

I  New  Tedament,  and  Invefl  them  with 
j  temporal  power,  till  their  claim  of  fuc- 
I  ceeding  to  the  Apoftles  becomes  an  in- 
fult  upon  common  fenfe.  Thefe  and 
fimilar  things  may  be  eiFe6]:ed  by  it,  un- 
der the  fair  pretext  of  rendering  reli' 
gion  refpeciiable,  and  of  making  ir: 
more  general :  but  the  empire  of  Jefus 
Chriil  difdains  them  all,  becaufe  they 
bclons;  to  the  kingdoms  of  this  world. 

But  though  our  Lord  neither  needs, 
nor  accepts,  the  puny  arts  of  men,  to 
adv^ance  his  caufe  and  fupport  his  inter- 
efts  'y  yet  various  methods  have  been 
devifed  by  acclefiatlics,  to  obviate  t/iff 
offenceofthe  crcfs^  to  render  themiclves 
refpe6lable,and  to  promote  fomething 
^  called  Chrifiiamty.  That  they  might 
'^  not  be  thougju,  like  the  Filliermen  of 
'  Galilee,  unlearned  and ig/iora^/^verConSj 
they  have  eagerly  fought  literary  titles, 
and  to  be  called  Rahbi.  To  adorn  the 
minifterial  office,  and  to  fandlion  their 
adminiftrations,  they  have  been  as  care- 
ful as  Jewifri  priefts  to  appear  in  cano- 
nicals. To  prevent  the  pride  of  their 
liearers  bein.g  difguded,  certain  humi- 
liating truths   have  been  kept   out    of 

■  fight  j   and    that    tiie     confciences    of 

■  others  might  not  be  pained,  fofteningin« 


5^  ESSAYONTHE 

rerpretations  of  divine  precepts  have 
been  given.  To  Hind  hci^  from  a  I'uf- 
picion  of  bigotry,  the  importance  of 
capitiil  truths  has  been  furrendered^ 
and  to  keep  fair  v/ith  fomething  called 
i'/iarity^  it  has  been  agreed  that  human 
inventions  lliould  hold  the  place  of  di- 
vine inilinulons.- -Many  of  ihe  clerical 
characcer,  in  our  National  Ellabliih- 
menr,  have  deliberately  fubfcribed 
what  they  did  not  believes  folemnly 
profefled  their  confent  to  what  they 
could  not  approve  >  and  frequently 
pra^tifed,  as  part  of  their  public  devo- 
tions, what  they  were  ccnflraincd  to 
wiili  had  never  exiiled*.  Nay,  as  it 
the  miniflers  of  tharEflabliilimcntpof- 
feiTed  a  righteous  monopoly  oFpublifh- 
ing  evangelical  truth,  and  ofadmini- 
flering  divine  inllitutions,  numbers  of 
them  have  fworn  to  perfecute  their 
Proteftant  DiiTenting  neighbours,  for 
daring  to   hold    feparate  alTembliest. 

*  Fc  r  can  any  man  upon  earth  really  believe 
all  that  is  contained  in  the  Thirty  Nine  /IrtidfSf 
and  cordially  approve  of  every  thing  contained  in 
the   Book  of  Common  Prayer  ? 

f  Thas  run3  part  of  an  Oath  which  is  taken  by 
Graduates  in  the  Unive»fity  of  Oxford  Item  fpe- 
claliter  tu  jurabi*,  quod  ititcnuUas  communitatcs, 
vc;l  perfonas  iftius  Univerfit^t'S,  impedies  pacem. 
epncordlam  et   amorsm — A>j  Conventiculis  interffe 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.'  5^ 

Thus  multitudes  have  fubfcribed  and 
xonfcnrcd,  trimcd  and  fworn,  to  pro- 
mote the  interells  ofafpiritual  king- 
dom--a  kingdom  of  truth,  of  love,  and 
of  peace  ! 

thhes*  nee  eit  tatiie  vtl  ex^rrff^   eonftnttre  ;   sEd  ea 

POTIUS,   MODIS    QUIBUS    POTERIS     IMPEDIRE.    Ex' 

cerp.  e  Corp.  Slatut.  bnlvfrfit.  Oxon.  Tit.  iX.  Se€c, 
vi.  §  I'  That  is,  Tou /JjaU  in  a  partuu/ar  manner 
fmcar,  that  you  <ivill  not  obfirud  peace ^  harmony  and 
love*  anong  any  communities  ^  or  per  Jons  ^  of  this  Uni- 
ver/ii\' — Nor  ought  you  io  be  prefent  in  Conventicies, 
Kor  either  exprejsly  nor    tacitly   confent  to  them    nuT 

RATHER  HINDER  THEM  BY  ANY  MEANS  IN  YOUR 

POWER. — How  any  man,  at  all  acquainted  with  the 
right*?  ofconfcience,  can  take  this  Oath  ;  or,  hav- 
ing taken  it,  can  treat  DlfTenters  as  Chrlftian  bre- 
thren, without  renouncing  his  own  Conformity* 
I  cannot  imagine,  A  more  fiiocking  dilemma 
can  fcarcely  be  conceWed  :  for  it  is  perfavtion  on 
the  one  hand,  and  perjury  on  the  other.  —  Of  a  fj* 
FPJlar  complexion  is  the  eleventh  Canon  of  the 
Church  of  England,  which  is  entitled,  McAntain- 
ert  of  Canveniicles  cenfvredy  and  it  reads  thus  ; 
♦  «  Whofoever  fhall  hereafter  afRrm  or  maintain, 
i'  Ti;ai  there  are  within  this  realm  other  meet" 
«•  ingp,  aHerablies,  or  congregations  of  the  king's 
«*  born  ful:>je«Sls,  than  fuch  as  by  the  laws  of  this 
*♦  land  are  lield  and  allowed,  which  may  rightly 
«*  challenge  to  thcmfelves  the  name  of  true  and 
•'  b;wrul  churches  :  Let  him  be  excommunicated, 
**  p.nd  not  rcftorcd,  but  by  the  archbifhop,  after 
•«  his  repentance,  and  public  revocation  of  fuch 
*'  his  wicked  errors."— I  will  hear  fisbjoin  the 
lollov.ir.g  rtmark  of  Dx*  0\v£N  ;   ♦»  There  is  in 


^O  E  S  S  A  Y    O  N    T  H  E 

Some,  of  different  CO  mmunions5have 
deliberately  a<Sted  as  if  the  preacher's 
work  were  a  mere  trial  of  (kill,  and  as 
if  a  pulpit  were  the  (lagc  of  ?i  harlequin. 
To  difplay  the  fcitility  of  their  inven- 
tion, they  have  felc6tcd  for  texts  mere 
fcraps  of  fcripturc  language  >  which, 
fo  far  from  containing  complete  pro- 
pofitions,  have  not,  in  their  diflocated 
{late  conveyed  a  lingle  idea.  Upon 
thefe  they  liave  harangued  >  while  the 
ignorant  multitude  have  been  greatly 
furprifed  that  the  preacher  could  find  fo 
much,  where  common  capacities  per- 
ceived noihinp. --Sometimes  thefe  men 

o 

"  this  [cccleHaftical]  Conformity  required  a  re- 
**  minciation  of  all  other  va)r8  of  public  worfliip, 
**  or  means  of  edification,  tliat  may  be  made  life 
**  of.  For  tbcy  are  all  exprt- fsly  forbidden  in  the 
*'  rule  of  the  Conformity.  No  man,  therefore,  can 
I*  compW  with  that  rule  but  that  a  renunciation 
t'  of  all  other  public  ways  of  edification  as  un- 
/  hwful  IS  part  r>f  the  vifihle  profefllon  which 
«*  thty  make.  FiJeo  meltora  prr.loque,  dtter'tora^ 
*t  ftqnor>  is  no  ?.oo\  plea  in  rclijiion.  It  is  up- 
«<  righlnefs  snd  integrity  that  will  preferve  men, 
«<  end  nothing  elfe.  He  that  fhall  endeavor  to 
tt  cheat  his  confcltncc  by  dlftinaions.  and  mental 
*«  refervatlons,  in  any  conccrnrrents  of  religiou3 
««  worfhip,  I  fear  he  hath  little  of  it,  if  any  at  all, 
•♦  that  is  q:ood  for  aught.**  Enquiry  info  the  Orig, 
Nature,  Inftiiut-  and  Cotr.mm.  of  Evar^-  Churcha^ 
p.  22S,  229. 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  6i 

ofgenius  will  choofe  pafTagcs  of  Scrip- 
ture exprefnve  of  plain  hillorical  h6tSy 
which  have  no  connedion  with  the 
great  work  of  falvation  by  Jefus  Chrillj 
and  handle  them  (not  profeflediy  by 
•way  of  accommodation,  for  then  ic 
might  be  admitted)  but  as  if  they  were 
facred  allegories.  Such  hidorical  fadls- 
being  Ipiritualized^  as  they  love  to  call 
it,  doctrines,  privileges,  duties,  in 
abundance,  are  eafily  derived  from 
them.  Nay,  fo  ingenious  are  preachers 
of  this  turn,  that  it  is  no  hard  matter 
for  them  to  find  a  great  part  of  tkeir 
creed  in  almod  any  text  they  take. 
Thus  they  allegorize  common  fenfe 
into  pious  abfurdity.--]t  might,  per- 
haps,be  too  barefaced,  though  it  would 
certainly  fuit  the  vanity  of  fuch  preach- 
ers, were  they  frequently  to  addrefs 
their  hearers  on  the  pronominal  mo^ 
nofyllable  /:  and  th^re  arc  two  paiTa- 
^^^  of  facred  Writ  where  it  occurs  in 
the  mofl  appofite  manner.  The  former 
Would  make  an  admirable  text  s  the 
latter,  a  noble  conclufion  :  and  they 
are  as  follows  :  *'  Such  a  man  as  /--Is 
.'**^  not  this  p;reat  Babylon   that  /  have 


F 


:-  ESSAY    ON    TH  3 

built*  '?  Ocher?,  and  often  the  fame 
perlbn?5  frequently  ufe  the  geilures  o£ 
the  theatre,  and  the  language  of  a 
mountebank  :  as  if  their  bulinefs  were 
to  amufe,  to  entertain, and  to  make  their 
hearers  laugh.  Extravagant  attitudes 
and  quaint  expreilions,  idle  ftories  and 
llmilics  quite  ludicrous,  appear  in  abun- 
dance, and  conflitute  no  Imall  part  of 
the  entertainment  furniilied  by  I'uch 
chara6lers.  But  in  what  a  ftate  mull 
the  confciences  of  thofe  preachers  be, 
who  can  deliberately  and  with  preme- 

*  Mr.  G  Gregoey,  vn^n  an  im  ad  verting  on 
the  conduct  which  ii  here  cenfured,  fays  ;  'It  is 
**  dangerous  on  any  occafion  to  depart  from  the 
**  plain  track  of  common  fenfc  ;  and  there  i^  no 
*•  attempt  at  ingenuity  fo  eafy  as  that  which  bor- 
*'  ders  upon  nonfenfc — It  is  one  of  the  mean  arti- 
**  fices  of  barren  genius,  to  furprifc  the  audience 
*•'  with  a  teiit  confining  of  one  or  two  words.  I 
*'  have  heard  of  a  perfon  of  thi«  defcription,  v-rlo 
**  preached  from  'Jch^vih  Jtreh  ^  and  another, 
**  from  the  monoiyllablcj  But  Thefe  are  con- 
*■  temptible  devices,  more  adapted  to  the  moving 
**  theatre  of  the  mountebank  than  to  the  pulpit,  and 
'"*  can  only  fervc  to  captivate  the  meanefl  and  mofk 
**  ignorant  of  the  vulgar.*'  ^'frm&nj,  Introduft.  p. 
14,15,  18  —Mr.  Clauds  fays,  **  Never  choofc 
*'  fuch  texts  as  have  not  a  complete  fcnfc;  for  on • 
*•'  ly  impertinent  and  fooUiTi  people  will  attempt  to 
**  preach  from  one  or  two  words,  which  figniPy 
.t*  nothing.*'  E-Jf^y  on  Comp^Jt'  of  a  Scrm.  Vol.  1. 
D-  5- 


]>:  I  N  G  D  O  M     OF      C  H  11  I  S    1  . 

.Citation  a6t  in  this  manner  !  Or,  wh-M 
jiiulivve  think  of  their  petitions  for  di- 
vine aihllaiice,  in  addrefHng  the  peo- 
ple, when  they  intend  thus  to  treat 
them  I -- 1  called  it  e/Ue-rtairsment  ;  p.nd, 
liirely,  tfiey  themfelves  do  not  confider 
it  m  a  religious  point  of  light.  For 
can  any  mail,  who  is  not  inGme  delibe- 
rately adopt  meafures  of  this  kind, 
when  really  uflning,  either  to  produce, 
or  to  promote,  a  devorionnl  and  hea- 
venly temper  in  the  hearts  of  his  hear- 
ers? Yet  that  is  the  general  end  c; 
preaching.  Or  can  the  preacher  hav»j 
any  devotion,  while  ihov/ing  the  aij5 
oi^  a  mountebr.nk  j  and  when,  if  the 
biilkofhis  auditory  had  no  more  de- 
cency than  himfelf,  there  would  be  a 
burll  of  laughter  throughout  the  aflem- 
bly  *?  Whatever  fuch  declaimers  may 
think,  where  there  is  no  lolemnity, 
there  is  no  devotion  :  and,  we  may 
venture  to  add,  that  a  perfon  habitually 
dcftitute  of  devotion  in  his  own  heart, 
while  pretending  to  teach  others  the 
do<5trine  ofChrift,  is  a  wretched  cha- 
racter in  the  fight  of  God,  and  hasrea- 
fonto  tremble.  Such  a  man  fervesnot 
our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  but  his  own  in- 
terelb,  in  fome  form  or  other.  He  mav 
Y/iih  for  popularity,  and  perhaps  may 


64  E  S  S  A  Y    O  N    T  H  E 

obtain  ic  from  the  ignorant  multitude  ; 
but  people  of  fcnfe  and  of  piety  will 
conlider  him  as  difgracing  his  office,  as 
affronting  their  underdandings,  and  as 
infulting  the  majefly  of  that  Divine  Pre- 
fence  in  which  he  Hands.  For  wherc^ 
upon  earth,  arc  we  to  expe6t:  folemnity, 
if  not  in  the  pulpit  ?  There,  a  man 
fhould  be  ferious  and  folemn  as  death. 

It  may  perha  Js  be  faid  3  ''This  kind 
''  of  trifling  has  its  ufe.  It  is  a  mean 
*'  of  exciting  curiofity,  and  of  draw- 
'*  ing  many  to  hear  the  gofpel,  who 
'•  might  not  otherwife  have  the  leafl 
*'  inclination  fo  to  do."  Such,  I  pre- 
llime,  is  the  chief  reafon  by  which 
preachers  of  this  cad  endeavour  to  juf- 
tify  themfelves  at  the  bar  of  their  own 
confciences.  In  anfwer  to  which,  a  re- 
petition of  that  capital  fliying,  My  king- 
dom is  not  of  this  Morld^  might  be  fuffici- 
enc  :  for  that  muft  be  \\  wretched  caufe, 
even  of  a  fecular  kind,  which  needs 
buffoonery  to  fupportit.  To  trifle  in 
the  fervice  of  God,  is  to  be  profane.  It 
is,  therefore,  an  impious  kind  of  tri- 
fling: and/;^//  we  do  evil  that  good  may 
come  ^--Through  the  interference  of 
Providence,  and  the  fovereign  grace  of 
G.od,   various    inftances  of  enormous 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST,  I  ^ 

wickednefs  have  iffued  in  the  higheil 
good  to  mankind.  Of  this  we  have  un- 
doubted evidence  in  the  felling  of  Jo- 
fephbyhis  envious  brethren.  We  have 
a  llill  moreflriking  inftance  inthedeatli 
ofChrift,  through  the  treachery  of  Judas 
and  malice  of  the  Jews.  Nay,  perl'ecu- 
tion  has  frequently  been  an  occafion  of 
fpreading.the  .gofpel  :  ystfev/-,-  I  taic^*' 
it  for  granted,  have  perfecuted  for  that 
end,  or  attempted  to  juilify  the  prac- 
tice upon  that  principle.  Were  the 
farcical  condu6l,  here  cenfured,  law- 
ful, there  would  bereafonto  think  that 
the  caufe  of  Chrill,  and  the  intercils  of 
harlequin,  are  very  nearly  allied  3  be- 
caufe  the  fame  kind  of  means  is  adapted 
to  promote  them. 

The  Seraphim,  however,  in  Tfalah's 
vifion,  andthe  Apoflles  ofChrifl,appcar 
to  have  had  a  very  different  view  of 
the  cafe.  The/or?;^^r  (who  ieem  to  be 
an  emblem  of  apodolic  miniffers*,)  are 
prefented  to  notice,  as  performing  the 
fervice  oftheir  Sublime  Sovereign  with 
profoundell  awe.  Struck  with  the  ma- 
iellyofhis  appearance,  and  penetrated 
by  the  authority  of  his  commands.. 
F  a 

f  Vid,  Filrlngam  in  k^l    . 


66  ESSAY    ON   THE 

they  adore  and  obey  with  all  bumility^. 
and  with  all  folemnity.  Agreeably  to 
which,  the  /^//cr  give  it  as  divine  law,, 
thatthofe  who  would  perform  accepta- 
ble worfhip^  muft  do  it  wifA  reverence^ 
and  godly  fear.  This  law  ofdevotion^^ 
they  further  inform  us,  is  founded  in  the: 
rtature  of  things  3  as  appears, by  the 
reafon  adigned  to  enforce  the  precept, 
For  Gtir  Codis  a  consuming  fire.  Such 
is  the  ChrilHan's  God,  with  regard  ta 
hispuritv/j  his  je.aloufy,  and.his  juftice*. 

Conformable  to  this  ideaof  th^t  Su- 
blime Being  v/hom every  preacher  pro* 
fe/Tcs  to  fervc,  was  the-  conduct  of  Paul 
when  difpenilr.g  the  gofpel.  For,  in 
oppofition  to  fome  wha  luindled  thi 
word  of  God  .deceitfully^  to  amufe  the 
carnal  aitd  win  their  afFe61:ions  j  lie  la- 
boured, by  mnnifeflatton  of  the  truth ^  to 
t'orardend  him f elf  fo-every-^man^s  confci^ 
ence^  as  in  the  fight  of  God,  Truth,  con* 
fcience,  and  God  !  What  facred  and 
folcmn  ideas-!  Yet  Paul,  as  a  preacher^, 
habitually  a<5(:edunder.  their  influence. 
Thatcvaiigelical  truth  might  be  difplay 
cd^  that  tlie  human  conlcicnce  might 
be  impreiled,.  andthat  the  will  of  Gpd 

*  Hcb.  xij.  jjSj  295    Dc-ut.  iv.  ^4.  ix.  5* 


Kt  N  <^D  O  M    O  F    C  H  R  J  S  T :  07 

might  b-e  performed,  were  all  included 
in  his  defign  How  foreign  are  thefe 
particulars  from  every  thing  of  a  farci- 
cal nature  !  Nor  can  any  perfon  who- 
confiders  himfelf,  when  preaching  the. 
word,  as  having  eternal  truth  for  the 
fubject.of  his  diicourfe,  the  confcien- 
ces  of  men  for  the  obje(5ls  of  his  regard^,, 
and  the  omnicientGod  for  a  witnefs  of 
his  condu6t5  be  otherwifethanfolemn: 
forfuch  an  one  will  fpeak,  as  knowing 
that  he  miift  give  an  account. -^Vslh^n 
hearing  a  minitler  who  afts  in  charac- 
ter, and  copicsthe  example  of  Paul,  we 
are  led  to  refle6t  on  that  ancient  oracle> 
I  will  b^fanciifiei  in  them  that  come  nigh 
mcj  to  perform  facred  fervice.  But 
when  fitting  under  theelFufions  of  a  pul-- 
pit  buffoon,  the  language  of  an  Egypti- 
an tyrant  occurs  to  remembrance  3  U'^ko 
is  Jehovah^  that  I  floould  obey  him''\  or 
what  is  his  woriliip,  that  1  fliould  treat 
it- with  reverence  ?. 

When  a  fermon  was  expelled  from 
Peter,  by  Cornelius  and  his  friends,  the 
centurion  expreilcd  himfeit  thus  :  M^^e 
are  all  here  pre  font  before  God^  to  hear, all 
things  that  are  commanded  thee  of  God, 
Thefe  Gentiles,  it  ismanifcd,  wei^  pe- 
netrated   with  devout  folemnity,  and 


68'  ESSAY    ON    THE 

filled  with  holy  expeiSbation.  Notbe- 
ing  iiirembled  tor  carnal  amufemenr, 
but  in  order  to  know  and  perform  the 
will  of  God  y  they  confidered  them- 
ielves  as  in  the  Divine  Prefence  :  and 
fo  did  their  infpired  teacher.  A  wor- 
thy example  for  us  to  follow,  when 
convened  to  preach  and  to  hear  the 
word  of  truth.  But  how  contrary  to 
this  is  that  pulpitdrollery,  which  is  th6 
objedl  of  ourcenfure  !  For  it  converts 
the  folemn  fervice  of  God  (fhocking 
metamorphofis ! )  into  carnal  aniufe- 
mentj  upon  which  numbers  indeed  at- 
tend with  pleafure,  but  with  no  more 
devotion  than  if  they  were  in  a  play- 
houfe.*  . 

Is  there  any  rae fan  to  be  furpri fed 
that  men  of  fen fe,  who  are  already  pre- 
judiced againd  the  genuine  gofpel, 
iliould  have  their  difaffecli  on  to  evan- 
gelical trurhs  increafed,  when  they  find  . 
tiiofe  truths  avowed,  and  their  impor- 
tance loudly  urged,  by  merry  and  re  v/s? 
If,  inflead  o^.  found  fpeeck^  Vy'kich  cannot 
he-  condemned^  they  meet  with  extrava- 
gance and  nonfenfe,  what  will  thy  fay? 
Is  there  any  reafon  to  wonder,  that  In- 
fidels flic^iuld  thence  take  occafion  to  re-  - 
diculc  the  Scripture^  as. calculated  to  , 


KINGDOM    OF     CHRIST.       69 

ferve  the  meancfl  purpofes  ;  or  that 
they  iTiould  contemptuoufly  call 
preaching  prieftcraft  ?  If  thofe  who 
profefs  to  love  revealed  truths  drefs 
them  up  in  a  fooTs  coat,  for  the  enter- 
tainment of  their  hearers,  will  Deiils 
forbear  to  laugh?  If,  where  ihemanof 
God  iliould  be  heard,  with  all  folemnity 
warning  finners  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come^  and  intreating  them  to  he  recon^ 
died  to  God ;  a  farcical  droll  appear^ 
fpouting  low  wit  and  provoking  refibi- 
lity,  will  the  Inftdel  f^iy  -,  '^  The. 
'^  preacher  himfeif  does  not  believe 
''  the  Chrillian  miniftry  to  be  a  divine 
"  appointment,  nor  the  exercife  of  it 
'^  a  devotional  fervice^  but  he  finds  it 
*'  convenient  for  fecular  purpofes  to 
*'  make  pretenres  of  that  kind  ?--A- 
mong  all  the  devices  of  carnal  policy 
for  the  lupport  and  enlargement  of  our 
Lord's  kingdom,  there  are  none  more 
contemptible,  and  few  more  deteflable, 
than  of  converting  the  pulpit  into  a 
ftage  of  entertainment.  Of  this  mind 
was  an  old  Nonconform  ill  minilier, 
when  he  faid  j  ''  Of  all  preaching  in 
'^  the  world  I  hate  that  mofb,  v/hick 
'^  has  a  tendency  to  make  the  hearers 
^^  laugh  5  or  to  affe6t  their  minds  with- 
^^  fuch  levity,  asdage-plays  do,inilead: 


70  ESSAYONTHE 

"  of  affecting  them  with  an  holy  revc- 
'^  rence  for  the  name  of  God.  We 
"  fhoiild  fiippofe,  as  it  were,  when  we 
'^  draw  near  him  in  holy  things,  that 
'^  wefaw  the  throne  of  God,  and  the 
^'  millions  of  glorious  angels  attend- 
''  inghimj  that  we  may  bcawed  with 
'^  his  majefty,  led  we  profane  hisfer- 
'^  vice,  and  takehis  name  invain.''--- 
Tothe  pulpit  harlequin  we  may  there- 
fore apply  the  following  lines  > 

*'  If  an^^els  tremble,  'tis  at  fucli  a  Tight  : 

"  More  (truck  with  gricf^or  wonder^  who  can  tcU?*'  * 

7"^!?  kingdom  of  Chrift  is  not  of  this 
world ^  in  regard  to  the  laws  by  which  it  is 
governed.  Secular  kingdoms  are  under 
the  direction  of  human  laws,  which  are 
frequently  weak,  partial,  and  unjuft--» 
of  laws  which,  when  lead  imperfect, 
extend  their  obliging  power  no  further 
than  the  exterior  behaviour  :  for  it 
would  be  vain  and  fooliih  in  a  tempo- 
ral fovereign,  to  tliink  of  giving  law  to 
the  thoughts,  or  deiires,  of  any  fubjedl. 
Civil  penalties  are  the  fan6tion  of  hu- 
man laws, and  external  force  gives  them 
their  energy. --Not  fo  the  laws  of  this 
holy  empire.  For,  proceeding  from 
Him,  in  whom  are  are  all  the  treafures 
ij  knowledge^  they  mull  be  confunaatelj 


K  I  N  GD  OM    OF    C  HRI  S  T.         'Jt 

wife  :  being  enabled  by  Him  who  is 
inflexibly  juil and  fupremeiy  kind,  they 
cannot  but  be  perfedlly  good  :  being 
given  by  him  who  fearchcs  the  heart 
^nd  is  Lord  of  confcience,  their  obliga- 
tion extends  to  the  latent  defire,  and  the 
riling  conception.  Controuling  the 
thoughts  and  binding  the  conlcience, 
their  fandtion  is  entirely  fpiritual  The 
motives  enforcing  obedience  to  them, 
arc  the  fmiles,  or  the  frowns,  of  Him 
who  has  our  everlaliing  all  at  his  dif- 
pofal. 

As  is  the  kingdom,  fuch  is  the  fove- 
Teign  j  and  as  the  fovereign,  fuch  are 
his  laws.  If  the  kingdom  be  of  this 
world^  it  muft  have  a  political  fove- 
reign >  whofe  laws  mud  be  coercive, 
and  confined  to  exterior  behaviour. 
Butifthekingdombeofafpiritualkind, 
the  fovereign  mud  be  fo  too  His  laws 
muft  extend  no  lefs  to  the  confcience, 
thanto  the  converfationi,  and  be  enfor- 
ced by  fandlions  of  a  fpiritual  nature. 
Such  is  the  King  MefTiah,  and  fuch  are 
the  laws  of  his  kingdonx 

The  fubjedls  of  our  divine  Sovereign 
may  beconlidered,  either  as  detatched 
individuals,  or  as  united  in  diflin£t  fo- 


f'i  ESS  AY    O  N    THE 

cieties,  and  vifibly  profefling  their  Tub* 
jcction  to  his  authority.  Hence  the 
execution  of  thofc  laws  by  which  they 
are  governed,  comes  under  a  twofold 
confideration.  As  detatched  individuals^ 
the  application  of  his  laws  to  particu- 
lar cafes,  is  entirely  with  him,  and 
with  the  confcience  of  each  individual. 
As  united  in  diftinB  focicties^  which  are 
called  particular  churches,  his  laws  of 
admiffion,  of  worfhip,andof  exclufion, 
are  to  be  applied  by  the  community-- 
applied,  not  under  the  influence  of  car- 
nal motives,  but  under  the  operation  of 
his  authority,  and  for  purpofes  entirely 
fpiritual. 

By  the  laws  of  this  kingdom,  a  credi- 
ble profefTion  of  repentance  and  faith 
is  required  of  all,  previous  to  baptifm. 
Such  profeflion  being  confidered  as  an 
evidence  of  their  fellowfiip  in  the  gofpel^ 
and  of  willing  fubjedion  to  the  autho- 
rity of  Chrifl,  they  are  entitled  to  mem- 
berihip  in  a  particular  church.  On 
this  ground  they  are  admitted  :  nor  do 
they  forfeit  their  memberfhip,  except 
by  fome  capital  departure  from  that 
gofpel,  or  fome  flagrant  offence  againft 
this  authority, --But  as,  by  the  laws  of 
our  heavenly  Sovereign,  their  admifllo-ii 


K  I  N  G  D  O  M    O  F    C  H  U  I  S  i  .  7g 

to  vifible  fellowihip  v/as  entirely  for 
rpiritual  purpoies,  their  exclufion  trom 
it  does  not  include  temporal  difadvan- 
tages  Their  fitiiation  asmcn5andas 
the  (ubjc(51:s  of  a  political  (late,  not  be- 
ing altered  by  their  church-relation 
commencing  J  they  iliould  not  be  af- 
fecled,  in  thole  relpeiSts,  by  thedifTo- 
lution  oi  that  relation.  For  as  the 
laws  ofChrift  fay  nothing  about  the  ad- 
miliion  of  one  or  another,  on  account 
of  his  domeflic  or  civil  connexions  j 
nor  yet  for  his  wealth  or  influence,  his 
parts  or  learning  -,  fo  they  are  equally 
fiicnt  about  pecuniary  fines  and  latisfac- 
tory  penances,  about  civil  difabiiities 
and  corporal  punilliments,  attending 
the  exclufion  of  any  off-Vnder.  The 
former  being  quite  foreign  to  qualifi- 
cations for  a  fpiritual  kingdom,  the  lat- 
ter mull  be  utterly  abhorrent  from  the 
laws'  by  which  it  is  governed  >  being 
manifeilly  the  inventions  of  Aiuichrlll, 
and  the  lupportcrs  of  his  cruel  thrcne. 
Civil  penalties,  in  this  c-:iC(:^  are  adapted 
tcf generate  fear,  and  promote  hypo- 
crifv  y  to  fupprefs  truth,  and  render 
Chrillianity  itfelf  fufpicious. 


G 


7-}-  ESSAY    ON    T  li  E 

Here  we  perceive  another  difparity 
between  thejewilh  and  the  Chriiban 
church.  For  under  the  Old  Occono- 
my,  the  laws  of  i;eligion  were  fundificd 
by  temporal  politics^  and  frequently 
thof<^  of  the  feverelt  kind*.  To  be  call 
out  of  thecongregation,  to  be  forbid- 
den accefs  to  the  fan6luary  worfliip, 
(except  for  ceremonial  pollution)  was 
to  be  deprived,  notonly  of  ecclefialli- 
cal  privileges,  butalfo  of  civil  rights. 
The  church  and  the  flate  bein^r  coex- 
tended,  and  including  the  fame  perfons, 
an  exciufion  from  the  former  was  an 
expuifion  from  the  latter  5  whether  it 
was  by  a  fentence  of  capital  punilTi- 
mcnr^orin  fomeotlier  way<  Butthis, 
like  many  other  things,  was  peculiar 
to  that  Difpenfition.  'It  was  founded 
in  the  National  fofm  of  their  church- 
fiate,  and  in  their  Theocracy.  Tliencc 
\x  was  thatblafphemy  and  idolatry  were  . 
piiniilicd  with  death,  as  being  high- 
treafon  againtl  their  divine  Sovereign. 
That  Oeconomv  being  aboliihed,  the 
church  of  God  has  taken  a  new  form. 
T/ic  priefthood  being  changed^  there  is  of 

*  See  Exod.  xii.  53,  ig.  xxx.  33,  3^-  xxxi.  14. 
he.y.  vii.  20 — 27.  xvii.  3— Q.xix.  8.  xxiii.  27,  28, 
29.  Nnmb.  ix.  13.  xv.  30,  31.  xix.  13.  with  nia- 
j^y    other  rimilar  pUces, 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIS  T 


i  -y 


ncceffity  a  change  alfo  of  the  law^  relating- 
to  the  conilitucion,  members,  and  go- 
vernm.ent  of  thechurch.  The  laws  oF 
admiilion,  and  of  exclulion,  mull  tliere- 
forebe  very  different  3  as  well  as  tliole 
pertaining' to  public  worihin.  Now, 
to  u n  d  e  r  il  a  n  d  t  h  c  f e  1  a  w  s ,  w  e  m  u  il  il  i:  d  v 
--^lot  the  Pentateuch  of  Mo fos  j  much 
lefs  the  Pr  ovine  I  ale  of  Lyndwoop,  c  r 
the  Codex  of  Gibson,  but---ihe  Nev/ 
Tc  fba m c  n  t  o  f  Te  fu  s  C h  I'i  il .  To  re  a  fo  11 
from  tlic  c^n'litutionand  fornijthe  laws 
and  government,  the  privileges  and 
rites  ofthe  Jewilli,  to  thofe  ofthechrii- 
ti.in  church  j  is  to  adopt  a  capiml 
principle  of  Papal  depravity,  and  gicf:^- 
ly  tocorruptour  holy  religion. 

Our  divine  Sovereign  has  alf^  pro- 
vided for  the  edification  of  his  loyal 
{iihjecl:^;,  by  ordinances  and  rites  of 
*v/orihip,  no  lefs  than  for  the  govern- 
ment of  his  kingdom.  As  King  of  the 
Chridian  church,  itconditutes  a  difcin- 
guifhed  part  of  his  royal  prerogative, 
toprefcribe  the  whole  of  that  fpiritiini 
fervicc  which  is  to  be  performed.  CA 
-'^is  prerogative  Jehovah  was  nKvays 
-ilous  :  nor,  under  the  former  Geco-- 
nomy,  did  he  ever  more  irdlainlv,  or^- 
more  feverely  Touniili,.  than   whe/i  hio- 


7(5  ESSAYONTHE 

orders  about  the  affairs  of  religion  were 
difrcgnrdGdj  even  though,  as  in  the 
cafe  of  Uzzah,  the  motive  appeared 
laudable. --What is  religion,  in  its  va- 
rious branches,  but  that  obedience 
which  isdiie  to  God  ?  And  what  is  obe- 
dience, but  fubmifTionto  his  authority? 
Now,  as  authority  exerts  itfelf in  com- 
r-iands,  there  cannotb-e  obediencc,there 
cannot  be  lioly  worfliip,  where  there 
is  no  divine  command,  either  explicit 
o r  i  ni pi i  c  i  r .  PFko  ha t h  re qu irecl  this  at 
your  hands  ?  In  vain  do  ye  worfiip  me^ 
teaching  for  doctrines  the  commandtnents 
of  ;??i?;';-- exclude  and  condemn  a  great 
number  of  things,  v/hich  millions 
edeem  ornamental  and  iifeful  in  the 
worlliip  of  God. 

Strange,  that  any  Proteftant  church 
fhould  avowedly  claim  a  "power  to 
^^  decree  rites  or  ceremonies"  in  the 
iolcmn  fcrvice  of  our  divine  Lord  ! 
As  if  he  were  not  the  legillator  in 
his  ovv'n  kingdom  !  Or  as  if,  though 
pofTcfTcd  of  authoritv,  he  had  not  wif- 
dom  enough  to  provide-  for  his  own 
honor  j  or  were  defective  in  goodnefs, 
refpe6ting  his  faith iul  fubje6ls  !  But 
whatever  the  compilers  and  the  fub- 
fcribcrs   of    a    National    Creed   may 


A  i  NGD  0  x\t    O  P    C  H  i^  I  i  V.         7'. 

think,  to  perform  rites  which  Ghrifl 
did  not  appoint,  and  to  alter  thofc 
which  he  enjoined,  are  vile  impeach- 
ments of  his  royal  character,,  and  mud. 
expofe  to  his  relentment.  The  former 
ufiirps  his  throne  :  the  latter  annuls 
hishiws.- -S^ra/ige^  did  I  fay?  the  ex- 
preffionmuil be  recalled.  For  there  is  no- 
re  a  (on  to  wonder  that  a  National  reli- 
gious eitabiiihnient,  with  a  political  io- 
vereign  for.  its  head,  fhould  make  the 
claim!  have  jull  mentioned.  Who  can 
doubt  whether  the  fame  authority  which 
conftitutes,  governs,  and  Uippcns  :\ 
community  for  any  particular  purpofe.^ 
may  not  prefcribe  to  that  community 
with  a  view  to  the  end.  intended  by  it  •' 
Bur  things  fhouldnotbe  called  by  wrong 
names  >  and  to  denominate  fuch  an  eil-.i- 
bliJhment  a  church  of  Chrlft^  is  a  grob 
miihomer. 

The  kingdom  of  Chriftis  not  like  the  e?):^ 
pires  of  this  world^  in  regard  to  external 
j'plendor.  The  grandeur  of  a  tem.poral 
kingdom  chiefly  confiils,  in  the  number 
and  affluence  of  its  nobility,  the  titles 
and  pompous  appearance  of  its  various 
iiiagillrates,  the  flourilliing  fiate  of  ir> 
mmlIo  and  cpramerce,  the  wealth  of  ic. 
G  a.. 


7^  ii  S  S  A  Y    O  N    THE 

yeomanry,  and  the  elegance  of  its  pub- 
lic buildings.    Magnificent  palaces  and 
royal  robes  are  quite  in  character   for 
fecular    princes.     Enligns    of  honor,, 
fplendid  equipages,  and  (lately  manfi- 
on^,  are  fuitable  to  the  nobles  :   while 
a  more  folemn  kind  of  exterior  pomp  is 
vei-y  becoming  the  miniders  of  public 
juftice.     Theie^  and  limilar  things  give 
an  air  of  dignity,   and  of  importance,,, 
to  political  lovereignties :  but  they  are 
all  foreign  to  the  kingdom  of  Chrill,  the 
glory  of  which  is  entirely  fpiritual  -- 
The  Chrillian  Church  is  dignilied  and 
adorned,  by  being  the  depofuary  of  di-- 
vine  truth  in  its  unadulterated  (hite,  and 
by   pra6li{ing  divine    appointments  in 
their  primitive  purity  v^  by  pofTefling- 
the  beauties  oFholinefs,  and  by  enjoy- 
ing the  prefence  of  God.     Such  is  the- 
true    glory    of  our  Lord's    kingdom,, 
which  renders  it  incomparably  fuperior 
10  every  temporal  monarchy. 

It  muO:  therefore  be  very-  abfurd  to 
think  of  doing  honor  toGhrilHanity,  by 

erefting  pompous  places  of  wor/hip,  by 
^9;//^rr^^//?/^thofe  places,  and  by  adorn- 
ing ra'iih  Jhowy  veftments^  in  the  per- 
formance of  public  v/Orfhip.  Let  the 
vilavos  of  princes,  ;nid  the  manfionsof- 


KINGDOM    OF   CHRIST.  7O  • 

tlie  mighty,  be  magnificent  and  richly 
ornamented  v  iet  the  nobles  and  judges 
of  the  land,  when  acling  agreeably  to 
their  different   charaders,    appear    in 
robes  of  (late  and  in  robes  of  rfiagiflracyj 
as  thofe  things  belong  to  the  kingdoms 
of  this  worldy  nor  pretend  to  any  thing 
more,  there  is  no  thing  ami  G, no  thing  iii- 
confiilentwith  llation  or  profeflion.  But 
confine  them  there,  and  by  no  means 
think  of  decorating  the  kingdom,  or  of 
promoting  the  caufe  of  Chrifi,  by  any 
thing  fimilar.     Were  any  man  to  lacker 
gold,  and  paint  the  diamond,  to  increafe 
their  luflre,  he  would  certainly  be  confi- 
dered  asiniane  Yet  the  conduct  of  thofe 
perfonsis  more  abfurd,whp  borrow  the 
trappings  of  fecular  kingdoms,  to  adorn 
the  fpiritual  kingdom  of  Jcfus  Chrilt. 

As  to  places  of  wo:'f)ip^  conveniency 
is  all  that  is  wanted,  and  all  that  be- 
comes thefimplicity  ofChriilianity.  To 
*  lay  the  fird  ftonc  of  fuch  an  edifice  with 
folemn  formalities,  isjewifh*  :  to  de- 
dicate ir,  whencompleted,  to  any  par- 
:ticuLu- faint,  is  manifeftly  luperftiiious : 
I;  to  confccrate  it  by  any  folemn  form, 
L')oksas  if  it  fucceeded  lo  the  honors  of 

*'Ezra  iii.  10.  it. 


So  E  S  S  A  Y    O  N    THE 

Solomon's  temple  J  as  if  the  Deity  were; 
expelled  to  relide  ia  it,  rather  than 
grant  his  prefence  to  the  congregation 
wor/liippin^  there  j  and  as  if  it  were 
to  pollels  a  relative  holineis,  like  that  of 
the  ancient  fandiiary.  I  may  venture. 
toadd,  that  aiiy  religious  parade  at  the. 
firil  opening  of  iuch  a  place^is  apparent- 
ly inconliilent  with  the  idea  ot  all  dif- 
tin6lionofplaces5  in  regard  to  woriliip,_ 
being  aboliilied,  and  too  much  refem- 
bles  ajewilli,  oraPopiiliconfecration*. 

*  I  will  here  r.ibjoiiia  few  particnlars  mentioned 
by  Mr.  James  Owcti,  relative  to  Cdnfecrations.  He 
r^iows,  that  the  Ifraelitcs  dedicated  not  only  the  ta-  . 
b.crnacle  and  temple,  but  alfo  their  private  hoiifes^ 
and  thtir  cities   (Dciir.  xx.    5.  Pfalm   xxx.  title, 
Nehcm.    xii.  27.)---That   the  Jewifli  fynagonrucs 
were  not  confecrated,   nor  efbeenicd    holy,  as  the 
•xmple  was-- -That  the   confccration  of  places  for 
Chridiaii  worlhip  was  invented  in  the  time  of  Cq/i- . 
fra;itJnc---Thii  Chriltians  had  not  long  been  inpof- 
ieilion  of  confecrated  teuiples,  before  they   ihoui^ht 
it  expedient  to  furnifh  them  with   altars;  andbe^. 
ing provided  with  altars,  they  afterwards  invented. 
thj  facrificc  of  the  ma(s---That  the  Papifls,  like  the 
olJ  Pagan  Romans,  firft  confccrate  the  ground,  and  > 
then  the  edifice  erc6lcd  npon  ii---That    Durandus  ^ 
argiiqs  for   the  confccration  of  churches,   from   the 
example  of  Ntbuchadnezzar  dedicarino;  his  golden 
i'na:re.--That  Roman  Catholics  confecrate,  with  va- 
rious   and  folemn   formalities,   the  firii  foundation 
ibne  of  a  building   intended  for  poblic   worfhip-— 
That  they  confccrate  bells,    priefts-?,arments,   and  ; 
a.l!null  every  diing  belonging   \y  their  corrupted  • 


K  I  N  G  D  O  M    O  F    C  H  R  I  S  T.  8  I 

In  regard  to  minijiers^  when  attend- 
ing to  any  branch  of  their  holy  fun61:i- 
on,  let  them  not  think  of  heightening 
their  own  importance,  or  of  promo- 
ting the  cnufe  of  Chrill,  by  imitating 
Jewifh  or  pagan  prieiis,  adorned  with 
peculiar  habits,  when  performing  their 
different  rites.  If  Chriftian  miniiiers 
be  decently  clothed,  when  in  their  own 
fiimilies,  when  vifitingtheir  friends,  or 
when  walking  tlic  ftrects  r,  why  lliould 
they  not  be  conlidered  as  properly  ha- 
bited for  the  performance  of  their  fa- 
cred  office  ?  What  reafon  can  be  af- 
ligned  for  the  life  of  any  particular 
drefs,  when  engaged  in  public  fervice, 
th  at  would  not  militate  againit  the  fpi- 
rituality  of  our  Lord's  kingdom,  and 
the  fimplicity  of  his  worfhip  ? 


worfhip-— That  thongh  in  England,  fince  the 
Reformation,  it  does  not  appear  that  }<ny  Form 
for  the  confecrating;  of  churches,  and  of  biiryinc; 
o;rounds,  has  received  the  fanciion  of  public  autho- 
rity ;  yet  various  Forms  for  thofe  pnrpofcs  have 
been  pabliHicd  and  nfed-'-That  the  confecraring 
bidiop  ble[ft;s  the  chnrch  or  chap"!,  and  prays'*  that 
*•'  that  the  blefTed  Spirit  would  fend  down  on  the 
*'  place,  his fan^'tfyi7ig  power  a?id grace'* ---Th^i 
he  confecrates  the  font,  the  pulpit,  the  readirfg- 
de(k,  the  communion  table,  the  paten,  the  chalice, 
and  f)  on.  Hifl.ofConf^crat,  of  Altars  yTe?nplejy 
H7id  Churchi'Sj  psflim. 


8x  E  S  S  A  Y    O   N    TH  E 

Itmavrperhaps,  be  faid  -,  ^'Clerical 
''  habits  are  indififerent  and  harnilefs 
^'  things,  except  when  they  are  impo- 
^'  fed."  But  iffo,  the  idea  of  impofi- 
tion  being  excluded^the  canonical  di'Q^s 
of  a  Popiih  priell,  the  red  hat  of  a  car- 
dinal, and  the  triple  crownof  a  pontiff, 
may  all  be  juiLlied  :  for,  in  themfelve?,. 
they  are  equally  harmlefs  as  the  gown, 
the  iiirplice,  or  the  band.  Innocent, 
iiowever,  as  all  thefe  peculiarities  are,. 
detached  from  the  minillerial  cliarac- 
icr,  and  from  holy  woriliip  >  the  reafon 
or  motive  of  wearing  them  in  facred 
fervice,  maybe  carnal,  bafe,  and  iinfiil. 
In  fome.  there  is  too  much  ground  of* 
fufpicion,  a  defire  of  being  eflcemcd 
by  the  vulgar,  either  as  peri'ons  of 
learning,  or  as  epilcopally  ordained,, 
when  they  are  not  fo  J  and,  in  others, 
a  lull:  of  increailng  their  learned  and 
prieilly  importance,  are  the  latent  rea- 
fons  of  wearing  thofc  idle  badges  of 
clerical  diilinclion  But  when  illite- 
rate men  alTume  the  garb  of  learning, 
their  vanity  is  contemptible  :  when 
they  intend,  by  fo  doing,  to  obtain  that 
refpc6i:  from  the  ignorant,  of  which 
they  know  themfelves  unworthy,  their 
p radical  falfehood  is  deteftable  :  and 
v/hcn  any  minifter  thinks  of  magnif}  -. 


KI  N  G  D  O  M    OF    CHRIST.  83 

inghi*  ofncCjby  pompofity  in  the  pul- 
pit, he  betrays  his  ignorance  relating  to 
the  nature  of  that  kingdom  in  which  he 
protVfTes  to  be  an  officer. --Do  the  laws 
of  this  holy  empire  forbid  the  fubje6ts 
to  affo6t  iliining  and  collly  apparel,  as 
not  becoming  thofc  who profefs  gcdll- 
nefs'^  5  and  will  not  the  principle  of 
that  prohibition  apply  with  increailng 
force  to  the  ca(e  before  us  ?  Is  it  in- 
confident  with  that  fpiritual  minded- 
iicfs,  of  which  every  avowed  difciple 
of  Chrifl  makes  an  implicit  proftHion, 
to  be  fond  of  a  fhowydrefs  in  the  inier- 
couvfes  of  common  life  3  and  can  it  be 
fuitable  to  the  fimplicity  of  Chridian 
worfhip,  to  the  charader  of  its  Lord, 
or  to  the  example  of  his  Apoiiles,  for 
minifceis  to  make  a  more  grand  appear- 
ance, and  take  more  fhite  upon  them, 
v/hen  performing  their  folemn  fervice, 
than  at  any  other  time  ?  Let  thefe  who 
und eriland  theChriflian  fyilem,  and  are 
heavenly  minded,  form  the  determina- 
tion. 

It  muflindeed  be  acknowledged,  that 
the  ancient  people  of  God  had  a  fplen- 
did  fancluary,  and  afumptuoustemple> 

*   I  Tim.  ii.  9^  lO;     i  Pet.  iii.  3;  4. 


84  ESSAYONTHE 

that  the  Jewifh  priefls,  when  perform- 
ing facred  fervice,  apearcd  in  holy  gar- 
ments 'y  and  that  the  highprieft,  on  cer- 
tain occafions,  was  richly  adorned,  in 
a  manner  peculiar  to  his  office.  But 
then  it  is  plain,  that  thoTe  things  were 
exprefsly  appointed  by  Jehovah  5  that 
theDiipeniation  to  which  they  belong- 
ed was  of  a  typical  nature  >  that  they 
were  fuited  to  the  church  while  in  a  ftate 
of  minority  -,  that  the  whole  Jew  iih 
nation  was  then  thevifible  church  j  that 
Jehovah  was  not  only  the  God,  butaUo 
the  King  of  that  nation  ;  that  the  an- 
cient fanctuary  was  a  palace,  where  po- 
litical royalty  reiided*,  as  well  as  a  tenv 
ple,  where  Deiry  was  adored  5  and 
that  the  pricils  were  officers  in  theftate, 
as  well  as  minillers  ol  relio;ion.  To 
fuch  a  politico-eccleliaftical. kingdom 
the  fplendor  of  the  fan£tuary,  and  the 
drefs  of  the  priefts,  were  manifeftly 
adapted.  Hence  the  tabernacle  is  cal- 
led a  worldly  Jan^luary^  and  the  rites 
performed  there  elements  of  the  world\ . 
To  thefe,  the  heavenly  fmdluary,  into 
which  our  Great  High  prielt  is  entered, 
and  the  fpiritnal  worfhip  of  the  Chrif- 
tian  church,  (land  oppofed.--lt  fhculd 

*  Matt.  V.  ;5.  t  ^^cb.  ix  i.  Gal.  4"";  9.     Col.  ii« 
8,  20. 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  C5 

not  be  forgotten,  that  though  the  Son 
ofGod,  when  difphiying  his  glory  ns 
King  of  the  Jewiih  ruire,  took  up  his 
abode  in  the  fandtuary,  as  in  a  royal  pa- 
lace y  yet,  when  //e  came  into  Ins  c-Vft' 
country*^  as  King  of  the  Gofpel  Church, 
he  had  not  w/iere  to  lay  his  head. 

What,  then,  have  the  fplendor,  the 
laws,  or  the  rites  of  Jiidaifm,  to  do  in 
the  New  Oeconomy  >  except  we  mean 
to  convert  the  Chrillian church  into  the 
Jewifh  temple?  Grandeur  and  iTiow, 
whether  as  pertaining  to  places  of  wor- 
fhip,  or  to  miniders  of  the  word,  are 
abhgrrent  from  the  Gofpel  Difpenfati- 
on  :  nor, under  the  prefent  Oeconomy, 
have  they  any  other  tendency,  than  to 
.o;rarify  that  pride  from  v/hich  they  ori- 
f^inate,  and  to  give  the  kingdom  r-f 
Clirid  a  fecular  appearance. --The  New 
Oeconomy  being  intended  for  all  nati- 
ons and  all  fucceeding  ages,  is  equally 
fitted  for  the  rich  and  the  poor  :  nor 
does  it  make  any  diftini^lion,  in  regard 
to  places,  where  its  worfnip  iliould  be 
performed.  That  God  be  adored  in 
fptrit  and  in  truth^  accorcl i  ng  to  h i s  o  w n 
rule,  is  all  it  requires  of  one  congvega- 
H 
*  Joh.  i.  II.     See  Dr.  Loddrldge  in  loc. 


r\ 


6  E  S  S  A  Y    O  N    T  H  E 


tion  or  of  another.     It  difdains,  there* 
fore,  to  borrow  any  part  of  its  glory, 
iVonithc  grandeur  of  an  edifice,  or  from 
the  garb   of  a    minitlcr.     Though   far 
from  fuppofing  rullicity,  illiteracy,  and 
meannefs,    to  be   charaderillics   of  a 
Gofpel  church  5   yet  I  may  venture  to 
ruTcrt,  that  an  aflcmbly  of  princes  in  a 
Iplcndid  cathedral,  with  an  archpielate 
appearing  in  canonical  pomp,  may  in- 
Jultthc  Divine  Majefly,  and  be  utterly 
unworthy  the  name  of  a  church  >   while 
a  congregation  of  day-labourers,  with 
an  illiterate  miniller  inthemeanelf  ha- 
bit, convened  in  a  barn,  may  be  a  fpiri- 
tiial  temple,  enjoy  the  Divine  Prefcnce^* 
and  perform  the  Chrillian  worfhip  in 
iill  its  glory. '-It  has  been  well   obfcr- 
ved,  by   a  certain  author,  that  '^  the 
*•'  prefcnce  of  God  confers  dignity  and 
^''  importance:"  but  chat  ''he  can  re- 
^'*  ctivQ  none  from  created,  much  lefs 
'*^  from  artificial  pomp    and   magnifi- 
''  cence."     To  which  I  will  add,  in 
the  words  of  Dr.  Owen>  "  If  the  whole 
''  flru6liirc  of  the  temple,  and  all  its 
^^  beautiful  fcrvices,  were  nov/  in  be- 
'*  in^T^  on  the  earth,  no  glory  would  rc- 
'•  dound  unto  God  thereby  :  he  would 
<^  receive  none  froni  it.  To  expeft  the 


KINGD  OM    OF    CHRIS  T.  87 

"  glory  of  God  in  them,  would  be  an 
"  high  diflionor  unto  him*.'* 

If  fecular  grandeur,  however,  muft 
needs  attend  the  religion  of  Him  who 
was  born  in  a  liable,  and  lived  in  pover- 
ty, who  received  the  acclamations  of 
royalty,  when  riding  upon  an  af?,  and 
quickly  after  expired  on  a  crofs  s^-if, 
1  fay,  it  ?7iiiJI:  appear  in  the  worlliip  of 
any  who  pretend  to  follow  theFifher- 
men  of  Galilee,  thofe  prime  miniftcrs 
in  the  Mefliah's  kingdom,  let  itbecon- 
fiiicd  to  fuch  as  avow  themftlvcs  mcQ:- 
b(:rs  of  a  National  ertablifhnicnr.  For^ 
with  regard  to  thofe  who  maintain th;ir  ' 
particular  churches  are  Congrrgaiion- 
al,  conlilling  of  fuch  as  make  a  credible  % 
profeflion  of  repentance  and  faiih  \ 
pompand  lliow  in  the  worlTiip  of  God 
are  quite  unbecoming  their  principle>. 
Yes, let  thofe  monopolizethe  fplendcr 
in  queftion,  who  confider  the  chLicii 
and  tlie  (late  as  of  equal  dimenlions  •, 
who  acknowledge  aviliblehead  of  po- 
litical rvoyalry  ;  and  who  mull  fearch, 
not  the  New  Teilnment,  but  a  code  of 
Canons  and  Conditutions   larger  than 

*  On  ths  Pirfonof  C/^'*/;^,  p.  354,    tS5*^ 


88  ESSAYONTHE 

the  whole  Bible*,  if  they  would  know 
on  what  foundations  their  ecclefiafti- 
cal  fabric  (lands,  and  by  what  laws  it  is 
governed.  The  National  form  of  the 
JewilTi  church  being  their  model,  and  a 
temporal  monarch  being  their  head, 
why  ihould  not  they  have  magnificent 
cathedrals,  and  confecrate  them  like 
Jewiili temples  ?  Why  ihould  not  anci- 
ent Judaifm  be  imitated  in  thefe  parti- 
culars, as  well  as  in  other  things?  As 
the  head  of  the  Engl  tin  Church  is 
adorned  with  royal  robes  j  as  the  prin- 
ciple officers  in  itare  appointed  by  him^ 
and  are  Lords  in  the  legiflature  >  and 
as  it  is  cllabliilied  by  laws  of  the  flate, 
v/ho  fhall  forbid  the  various  orders  of 
its  miniders  being  adorned  with  found- 
ing titles,  and  with  pompotis  canoni- 
cals ?  Inhere  is  no  reafon  to  wonder 
that,  in  fuch  a  conilitucion  and  fuch  a 
polltv,  almoil every  thing  fhould  wear 
a  fecular   appearance.     For,  political 

*  Refer! no;  to  Glhfon' s  Codex.  <'  When,*'  fays 
vSIr  Michel^!  Forfler,  <^  Cbrifti^nity  became  the 
*'  eftablifiicJ  reii^^ion  of  the  empire,  and  church 
<^  and  ftaic  became  one  body,  confidered  only 
^'  in  different  views  and  under  different  relations  ; 
*'  the  ccclefiadical  and  civil  laws  of  ilie  empire 
"  flowed  from  one  and  the  fame  fonrce,  mperial 
*'  refcripts.'"''  Exa?7ibiat.  of  Bp.  Cibfon's  Codex jp* 
122.  Edit.  3d. 


KINGDOM    OF     CHRIST.       89; 

authority  pervading  the  whole  eccleli- 
ailical  frame,  it  would  be  inconfillenc 
withitfelf  ifits  various  parts  had  no  tan 
air  of  external  grandeur.  As  a  king- 
dom of  this  world,  it  is  refpecrable  > 
but  it  ihould.  not  pretend  to  any  thing 
more. 

Bur,  however  it  may  be  with  a  Na- 
tional eftabliihmenr,  let  not  Proteftaiit:. 
DilTenters  behave  as  if  they  envied,  ei- 
ther its  magnificence,  or  its  emolu- 
ments^ No  :  let  not  thofe  who  confi- 
der  the  Church  and  the  World  as  oppo- 
flre  ideas  y  who  maintain,  that  ChrillT' 
only  is  the  head  of  Chrillian  com.mami- 
ties  y  and  that  the  New  Tedamentcon- 
tains  the  whole  of  their  eccleliallical  po- 
lity, be  defirous  of-  external  grandeur. 
in  any  thing  pertaining  to  public  wor* 
iliip  :  left  they  pradically  deny  theic 
own  principles, and  implicitly  reproach 
primitive  Chrillianity  for  being  too 
fimple  and  too  fpiritual.  It  is  fre- 
quently much  ealier  for  people,  and 
much  more  defired  by  them,  to  aillmble 
in  an  elegant  edifice,  and  for  their  mi- 
nifterto  appear  in  c?inonical  failiion  >  . 
than  to  perform  a  fpiritual  woriliip,and 
to  iliine  in  the  beaun'cs  of  holinefs.  The 
H  1. 


9?  ESSAYONTHE 

fplendor  of  a  place  for  affembling,  and 
the  pageantry  of  clerical  drefs,  are  pro- 
cured by  money  j  butthe  graces  of  real 
fandity,  and  internal  devotion,  are  of 
heavenly  origin:  nor  is  theexercile  of 
them  to  be  expedted,  unlefs  by  thofe 
who  are  habitually  aiming  at  it.-- f  will 
add,  whatever  kind  of  fuccellion  to  the 
Apoflles  may  be  claimed  by  diocefan 
biihops*,  yet  letnot  Prcteftant  Diflcnt- 
ing  minilters  implicitly  arrogate  an 
apoftolic  mifHon,  powers,  and  authori- 
ty, by  calling  themfelves  ambassadors 
ofChrlfi.  For  that  character,  it  is  plain, 
belonged  to  the  firft-rate  mefTengers 
of  our  divine  Sovereign  Or,  if  any 
of  thofe  who  publifh  the  gofpel  of  peace 
confidera  title  of  thathigh  importance 
as  quite  fuitable  to  the  dignity  of  their 
eccleflaftical  (lation,  their  credentials 
mud  be  produced. 

By  this  charaderiftlc  of  our  Lord's 
kingdom,  and  by  the  general  nature  of 
it,  we  are  further  taught,  That/z;^/>//V//y 
a n d  fpirituality  m uil  c  o n if  i t u t e  t  h  e  chief 
giorvof  that  worfhip  which  he  requires 
---This  forms  another flrikingdefparity 
between  the  Mefliah's  government  and 

*  See  Dr.  Owen's  Nature  of  a  C^f^cl  Churchy 
mnd  its  GQ-jcrnmsnt.  i>.  3  3. 


KINGDOM     OF     CHRIST:  9I 

the  ancient  Txheocracy.-— It  has  been 
obferved,  by  Dr.  Erskine,  that  "  the 
'^'refpedpaid  to  God,  under  the  Old 
^■'Teiianient  Difpenfation,  correfpond- 
'^  ed  to  his  chara6ler  as  a  temporal  mo- 
^*  narch  -,   and  in  a  great  meaiurecon- 
''  filled  in  external  pomp  and  gaiety, 
'^  dancing,  indrumental    mufic,     and 
'^  other  expreffions  of  joyufual  at  co- 
'^  ronations  or  triumphs.  Butthehour 
'^  is  now  come,    in    which  the    true 
^'  worfhippers  mud  woriliip   the  Fa- 
*'  therin  fpiritand  in  truth  >   not  with 
'*  external  ihow  and  pageantry*."  Yes, 
numerous  rites, and  ceremonious  pomp, 
were  appointed  by  Jehovah  in  the  firft 
eftabliihmentof  the  Jewifh  church  :   to 
which  various  additions  were  made, by 
divine  order,  in  the  time    of  Davidf. 
Thefe  things  were  undoubtedly  fuited 
to  the  nature  of  that  Uifpenfation,  and 
to  the  church  of  God,  while  in  a  (late 
ofminorityt.     On  worfliip,  fo  various 
in  its  branches,  and  fo  fplendid  in  its  ap- 
pearance,    multitudes    attended,    and 
found  amufement  in  it,  who  were  in 
^:heir    hearts    difaffe6led  to  God.     In 
hearing  the  temple  mufic,  vocal  and  in- 
(Irumental,  there  is  no  doubt  but  num- 

*   Theological  Differtations,  p.  69.      f  r  Chron. 
xvi.  4,  5^6.     z  Chron. xxix.  25.    %  ^^^'  iv.  i—f. 


Sl'X  S  S  S  A  Y    0  N   T  H  E 

bcrs  ofiingodly  people  were  much  d'e-. 
lighted.  Such  a  concert,  by  peilons 
trained  to  the  employment,  and  under 
the  dirc<5lion  of  fkilful  m afters,  muiL 
produce  very  pleafing  emotions  in  the- 
attending  multitude  :  a  great  m;ijority- 
of  whom,  it  is  highly  probable,  confi-. 
dered  their  fyftcm  of  worfhip  as  the  beft, 
that  could  be  appointed,  it  being  To. 
grand  and  fo  delightful. 

Butthough  that  fyftem  was  fitted  both, 
to  the  people,  and  to  the  times  j  though, 
itwas  of  great  utility,  and  anfwered  the 
purpofe  of  Jehovah,  under  afhadowy 
difpenfation  j   yet  the  New  Teftament^ 
informs  us,that  its  numerous  rites  were, 
the  mere  elements  of    fpirituai  know^^ 
ledge,  and  of  holy  worfhip.  Nay,  com- 
pared with  appointments  and  iervices^ 
oftheChriftian  church,  that  they  were 
beggarly  elements  and  carnal  ordinan- 
ces*.--Why,  then,  iliould  any  profcf- 
fors  of  Chrillianity  be  fo  fond  of  ccrd-. 
monious  pomp  in  the  worfliip  of  God?. 
Why  fo  attached  to  the  language  and 
forms  of  Judiifm,  or  pra6biie  a  ritual 
nearly  akin  to  the  rubrics   of  Mofes  ? 
Why  call  the  holy  fupper  a  facrifice^. 
the  Lord's   table  an  altar ^  and  the  ad- 
^   Gal.  i/.  9.  Ktb.  ix.  lo. 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST:  53 

miniftrator  ^  prieft  ?  Why  have  re- 
courfe  to  the  temple  worfhip  for  mufi- 
cal  inftruments,  and  for  a  fet  of  fingers 
dillinclfrom  the  congregation  atlarge? 
Why  Ihould  refponiive  finging,  and 
tunes  more  fit  for  atheatre  than  tor  the 
worlliip  of  God,  be  heard  in  religious 
afTemblies  ?  Why,  without  an  appoint- 
ment for  alternate  finging,  fhould  one 
part  of  a  congregation  fufpend  an  adl 
of  focial  worfhip,  while  the  other  car- 
ries it  on  ?  To  thefe  and  (imilar  que- 
ries the  anfwer  muft  be  5  Becaufe  things 
of  this  nature  amufe  and  pleafe  the  car- 
nal mind- -Becaufe  the  iimpiicity  and 
fpirituality  of  NewTeftament  worfhip 
have  no  charms  for  the  multitude — 
And  becaufe  the  generality  love  to  per- 
form fomething  called  religious  worftoip^ 
in  a  way  of  their  own  devifinor.  Xo 
lave  appearances,  however,  as  many 
things  in  the  Jewifn  ritual  were  pretty 
well  adapted  to  pleafe  the  carnally 
minded,  they  will  be  contented  with 
having  the  Chriftian  worlliip  reformed, 
in  various  particulars,  according  to  the 
ancient  model, as  completed  in  the  time 
of  David. --Who,  that  enters  a  fplen- 
did  edifice,  where  he  beholds  a  minif- 
ter  in  his  canonicals,  nnd  meets  with 
fuch  entertaining  woriliip,  can  forbear 


94  ESSAYONTHE 

to  think  of  the  temple  fervice  ?  Such, 
through  a  courfe  of  ages,  has  been  the 
prediledrionof  multitudes  for  ancient 
Judaifm,  that  a  number  of  its  peculia- 
rities, which  were  either  honorable 
and  profitable  to  the  prieft^,  oramuling 
and  pleafing  to  the  people,  have  been 
incorporated  with  Chriftianity,  nor- 
withfianding  the  mifchiefs  produced 
by  fimilar  condud'  in  the  apoltolic 
churches. 

I  faid,  Honorable  and  profitable  io  the 
priefts  —  AmufiKg  and  pi  e  a  fin  g  to  the 
people.  But  here  thcyllop  ;  forthofe 
branches  of  Judaifm  that  were  of  a  dif- 
ferent kind,  are  treated  as  entirely  ob-* 
folete.  ^^>^  forindance,  though  num- 
bers of  Chriflian  minilters  are  fond 
enough  of  pricftly  veftments,  and  of 
tithes, y//;'f  divino  >  yet  they  are  not  in- 
clined always  to  waflo  their  feet  ^  before 
they  perform  facred  fervice*  >  much 
lefs  to  perform  \'ibarcfoef\  --As  tothe 
peop/e,  though  multitudes  of  them  are 
greatly  delighted  with  pompous  ap- 
pearances and  mufical  founds,  they  are 
far  from  being  in  raptures  with  circura- 

*  Exod.  XXX.  i7--'2T.  f  Sec  Dr.  Lightfoot'i 
Temple  Service^  Chap.  I  and  X.  aiii  Dr.  Gill  0|l 
Exo.l.  iii.  5. 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  95 

clfion.  For  notwithftanding  that  A- 
brahamic  rite  retained  its  obligation 
and  utility,  as  long  as  any  Jewilli  cere- 
mony did  j  and  though,  in  apoflolic 
time 5,  judaizing  Chrillians  had  the 
higheil:  opinion  of  its  importance  >  yet, 
like  the  ancient  baptilmal  immcrfion,  it 
is  now  conlidercd  as  too  painful  and 
too  indelicate  for  polilbed  perfons  to 
re<>ard.--Thus  the  worHiip  of  the  New 
Occonomy  is  become  a  compound,  un- 
known to  the  Bible,  of  Judaifm  and 
Chriilianity  :  and  it  is  treated  by  too 
many  minillers,  as  a  trade,  not  a  divine 
fervice  >  by  numbers  of  people,  as  an 
article  of  decent  amufcmcnt  fuitable  to 
the  Lord's  day,  not  as  duty  to  God,  and 
as  a  mean  of  preparing  for  heaven. 
*'  Men  run  to  church,  fays  Erasmus, 
''  as  to  a  theatre,  to  have  their  ears 
^'  tickled*."  The  prophets  prophefy 
fcilfeJy^  And  the  priefls  bear  rule  by  their 
means^  and  my  people  love  to  have  it fo  : 
and  what  will  ye  do  in  the  end  thereof  '?-|- 

But  though  the  magnificence  of  pla- 
ces intended  for  public  worfliip,  the 
confecration  of  thofe  places,  canonical 
habits,  and  various  amufing  ceremo- 
nies ^xQ  now  defended  ( if  defended  at 
*  In  I  Cor.  xiy.  19.    f  Jer.  v.  31. 


g6  ESSAYONT  HE 

all  by  Scripture)  on  the  ground  of  Old 
Tcftamentcuftoms  5  yet  we  are  taught 
by  the  moll  refpe^table  ecclefiaflical 
hiflorians,  that  they  originated  in  aper- 
verfc  imitation  of  Paganifm.  Chrifli- 
ans  being  furrounded  with  Heathens, 
of  whofe  converfion  they  were  defir- 
oits ',  and  the  latter  having  been  accuf- 
tomed,  in  performing  their  idolatrous 
Woriliip,  to  the  external  pomp  of  tem- 
ples and  of  ceremonies  ;  Constan- 
TINE  had  no  fooner  aboiiflied  the  fu- 
perllitions  of  his  anceftors,  than  magni- 
ficent places  of  worlhip  were  erected, 
and  confecrated  with  great  parade:  it 
being  confidered  as  unlawhil,  except 
in  extraordinary  cafes,  to  perform  any 
part  ot  public  worihip  in  them,  previ- 
ous to  their  confecration.  Heathens 
having  olten  reproached  Chridianity, 
for  the  poverty  and  fimplicity  of  its  ap- 
peal ance,  the  Chrillians  of  the  fourth 
century  adopted  many  of  the  Pagan 
rites.  Miniiters  of  the  word,  for  ex- 
ample, when  performing  their  office, 
appeared  in  canonical  habits,  and  with 
prieflly  pomp.  Their  newly  cre6ted 
temples  were  confecrated,  by  finging 
of  fuch  hymns  as  v/ere  thought  fuita- 
ble  to  the  occafion,  by  prayers,  and  by 
thankfgivings.     Then,  in  the  Eadcrn 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  p^ 

churches,  the  refponfive  finging  of 
David's  Pfalms  was  introduced  >  pre- 
centors were  appointed,  and  laws  were 
framed  by  different  Councils  to  direct 
the  lingers  in  the  performance  ot  their 
iervice'^.--Such  was  the  oi  igin  of  thofe 
gaudy  appearances  which,  to  imufe  the 
carnal  mind^  have  fo  long  corrupted 
.the  worfhip  of  God,  and  Iccularized  the 
kingdom  ofChrill  !  Vam  man  would  he 
wife^  and,  in  his  great  wifdom,  thinks 
it  neccfTary  to  add  a  few  ornaments  and 
fupports  to  this  heavenly  empire,  of 
which  it  was  entirely  dtftitute  when 
the  Apoftles  left  the  earth.  This  was 
thought  expedient,  in  order  to  render 
the  religion  of Jefus  a  little  morepleaf- 
ing,  refpe6fable,  and  edifying,  than  itJ 
was  inits  nativeftate.  Butwtllmav  he? 
demand,  with  the  afp''6f  <^f  incenfed 
majefty,  PFko  hath  required  this  at  your 
hand^ 

The  kingdom  of-  Ch^ift  is  not  o^tJns  Vi^orld^ 
in  refpedl  of  its  iwm unities^  its  riches^ 
and  its  honors.  Wealth,  titles,  and  au- 
thority, are  frequentiv  confeicd  by  i'e- 
cular  princes  .*  but  they  are  all  external 
1 

*  ViJ.  SpanhenliHifl,  Feeler  Scc^I.  \V.  p.  5;i^ 
S54.     Vencma;  Hifl.  Ecclcf.  beeul.  IV.   §  128. 


9&  ESSAYONTH£ 

things.  Apatentof  peerage,  or  a  lu- 
crative ofnce,  gives  no  wiTdom  to  the" 
mind,  no  peace  to  the  confcience,  no 
holinefs  to  the  heart.  The  poflollbr, 
notwithltanding  his  plentiful  income 
and  fplendid  title,  may  be  a  fool,  a 
wretch,  andadiigracetothehumanipe- 
cies.--Thehigheilhonorsand  thegreat- 
ed  emoluments  which  the  fubjedbTof  an 
earthly  kingdom  can  enjoy,  are  all  of 
them  unfatisfadlory  :  and,  therefore, 
thcfirfL  favourites  of  temporal  princes 
•are  fometimes  the  mofl  unhappy.  Of 
this  we  have  a  remarkable  inflance  in 
Haman,  the  prime  favourite  of  Aha- 
Aierus. --Great  privileges  and  exalted 
honors  are  enjoyed  by  comparatively 
very  few  fubjedls  of  any  temporal  mo- 
narch ',  the  nature  of  the  cafe  forbid- 
ding them  to  become  general,  among 
the  inhabitants  of  any  country.  Duke- 
doms, marquifates,  and  grants  from  the 
crown,  are  but  feldom  beftowed,  how 
loyal  fccvcr  the  fubjedis  may  be.  Be- 
fides,  thofe  diftinguifhed  favors  are  of 
lliort  duration,  and  quite  uncertain. 

Whereas,   the  immunitie.*?,    emolu- 
'rnents,  and  honors  of  our  Lord's  king- 
dom, are  all  of  them  fpiriiual  and  in- 
ternal.    They  are  fuited  to  the  (late  of 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  99 

an  enlightened  mind,  to  the  feelings  of 
an  awakened  confcience,  and  to  thede- 
iires  of  a  renewed  heart.  Pardon  of  all 
^n,  and  complete  acceptance  with  God^ 
adoption  into  the  heavenly  family,  and 
a  title  of  future  glory,  are  fome  of  the 
privileges  and  honors  enjoyed  by  the 
iubje^s  of  this  kingdom.  Biefling?, 
thefe,  of  infinite  worth,  becaufe  of  their 
fpiritual  nature  and  immortal  duration. 
Nor  are  they  confined  to  a  few  dirtin- 
guiihed  favourites  of  our  ccleftial  So- 
vereign y  for  they  are  comnion  to  ail 
his  real  rLibje6ls.  Yes,  they  are  all  en- 
riched, and  all  ennobled,  with  rightc- 
■oufnejs^  peace^  and  joy  in  the  HoIyGkcjl. 

Now,  a?  the  immunities,  grants,  and 
honors,  bellowed  by  the  King  Meiliah, 
are  ail  of  a  fpiritual  nature  5  his  faith- 
ful fubjedls  have  no  reafon  to  wonder, 
ortobe  difcouraged,  at  any  perfecuti- 
ons,  affli6lions,or  poverty  which  max'- 
befal  them.  Were  his  empire  of  t his 
worlds  then  indeed  it  might  be  expe6t.- 
ed,  from  the  goodnefs  of  his  heart  and 
the  power  of  his  arm,  that  thofe  who 
are  fubmiffive  to  his  authority,  zealous 
for  his  honor,  and  conformed  to  his 
image,  would  commonly  find  them- 
felves  eafy  and  profperous  in  their  tecj>' 


100  ESSAY    ON    THE 

poral  circumflances.  Yes,  were  his 
dominion  of  a  lecular  kind,  it  might 
be  luppofed  thar  an  habitually  conlci- 
entious  regard  to  his  laws,  would  le- 
cure  from  the  oppreflion  of  ungodly 
men,  and  from  the  diilrefTes  of  temporal 
want. --Thus  it  was  with  Ifrael  under 
their  Theocracy.  When  the  rulers 
and  the  people  in  general  were  pundlu- 
al  in  obferving  Jehovah's  appoint- 
ments, thei^ipulations  of  the  Sinai  Co- 
venant fecured  them  from  being  op- 
prefTed  bv  their  enemies,  and  from  any 
remarkable  affliction  by  the  immediate 
hand  of  God.  Performing  the  condi- 
tions of  their  National  Confederation^ 
they  were,  as  a  people,  warranted  to 
expe6b  every  fpecies  of  temporal  prof- 
perity.  Health, and  long  life,  riches, 
honors,  and  vi6tory  over  their  enemies, 
were  promifed  by  Jehovah  to  their  ex- 
ternal obedience^.  The  punifhments 
alfo,  that  were  denounced  againfl  fla- 
grant breaches  of  the  Covenant  made 
at  Horeb,  were  of  a  temporal  kind"[". 

*  See  Exod.  XV.  25:,  26.  xxiii.  25:--2S.  Lev. 
xxvi.  3-- 1 4.  Deur.  vii.  12-24.  vijl,  7,  8,  9.  xi. 
TV-17.  xxviii.   3-13.  t  Lev.   xxvi.   14— 39. 

Deut.  iv.  25,  26,  27.  xi.  27.  xxviii.  15--68.  xxix. 

22-28.  See  Dr.  Erfkbie's  Theclr^g.  Dilf^rtat.  p. 
32--29.     External  obedience— PunifhmciUs  of  a 


KINGDOM    OF    C  H  R  I  b  i  .  131 

In  this  reCpQ&iy  however,  as  well  as, 
in  other  things,  there  is  a  valt  difference 
between  the  JewiJTi,  and  the  Chridian 
Oeconomy .     This  dilparity  was  plain- 
ly intimated,  ifl  millakenot,by  the  op- 
podte  modes  of  divine  proceeding,  in 
ellablifhing  Jehovah's  kingdom  among 
the  Jews,  and  in  founding  the  empire  of 
Jefu5  Chrift.     To  fettle  the   Ifraelitifh 
church,  to  exalt  the  cholen  tribes  above 
lurrounding  nations,  and  to  render  the 
ancient  Tlieocracy  fupremely  venera- 
ble, the  divine  Sovereign  apper.red  in 
terrible  majetly .     Wafling  plagues  and 
awful  deaths  were  often   infiicled  by 
eternal  juflice,   on  thofe  who  dared  to 
oppofe,   or   to  opprefs,  the  people  of 
God.     An  angel  was  commiifioned  to 
deilroy  the  Egyptian  firit-born}   Pha- 
raoh,   with    his    mighty    hofl,  were 
drowned  in  the  Red  fea  j   and  the  Ca-- 
naanitiih  nations  were  put  to  the  fword,, 

rfm/>ora/kmd,  Thcfe  an  J  liniilar  cxprciHcRS  in 
this  E'Tay  are  to  be  nnderflood,  as  refcrrinrr  to  the 
Sinai  Covenant /Vit^/y  confid-^rcd,  and  to  Jthovah's 
reqniritior.s  ss  the  ki/;g  of  Ifrael.  They  are  ijiiite 
eonfiil^nr,  therefore,  with  its  being  the  duty  of  A- 
brabam's  natural  feed  lo  perform  :?.terHai  ob-di- 
dice  to  rh:^i  Sablime  Sovereign,  confidcred  as  God 
of  the  whole  esrtb  ;  and  with  final  pimilhmcnt  ht- 
ing  iadicled  by  hiin,  in  failure  of  thai  obcdicnc<> 


ox  ESSAYONTHE 

that  the  fubjetSts  of  Jehovah  might  pof- 
lels  their  fertile  country.  Manitelt  in- 
dications thefe,  in  connexion  with  ex- 
prefs  promifes,  that  the  fpecial  Provi- 
dence of  God  would  exalt  and  blels  the 
natural  feed  of  Abraham  with  temporal 
felicity  j  provided  they  did  not  violate 
the  Sinai  Covenant. 

But  when  the  Prince  Meiliah  found- 
ed his  kingdom,  all  things  were  other- 
wife  No  marks  of  external  grandeur 
attend  eel  cd  his  pcrfonal  appearance  : 
andj  inllead  of  executing  righteous 
vengeance  on  thofe  whooppoled  him, 
his  language  was  y  The  Son  of  man  is 
'not  cortie  tn  deftroy  men^ slives^  but  tojave  . 
them.  Father^  forgive  them^  for  they 
know  not  what  they  do  ! — After  a  life  of 
labour  and  of  beneficence,  of  poverty 
and  ofreproach,  he  fell  a  vi£lim  to  per- 
fecution,  and  a  martyr  to  truth.  Such 
was  the  plan  of  divine  Providence?, 
rerpe<51:ing  Chrili  our  King,  and  fuch 
was  the  treatment  with  which  he  met 
from  the  world!  Striking  intimations, 
thofe,  that  his  moft  faithful  iubjc6i:s 
would  have  no  ground  of  difcourage- 
menr,  in  any  fufferings  which  might 
await  them  >  and  that,  confidercd  as  his 
^depcndants,  fpiritual  blcflings  were  all 
'they  fhould  have  to  exped. 


KINGDOM    OF  CHRIST.  IO3 

It  mufl:  indeed  be  acknowledged,  that 
as  vicious  tempers  and  immoral  prac- 
tices have  a  natural  tendency  to  impair 
■health,  diilrefs  the  mind,  and  wafte  the 
property j To  the  exercifeof  holy  affecti- 
ons, and  the  practice  of  true  godlinefs, 
have  the  moll  friendly  afpeclon  aChrif- 
tian's  own  temporal  hrippinefs,  (ex- 
cept Co  far  as  perfecution  intervenes  ) 
and  on  the  welfare  ofiociety.  But  then 
it  is  evident  that  this  arifes  from  the 
-jiature  of  things,  and  from  the  luperin- 
tendency  of  common  Providence  >  ra- 
ther than  from  the  dominion  ofChrift, 
-as  a  fpiritural  monarch.  For,  focon*- 
fidered,  fpiritual  bleffings  are  all  that 
•they  have  to  exped  from  his  royal  hand* 

By  the  prophetic  declarations  of  oui* 
Lord  himfelf,   and    by  the  hiftory  of 

-this  kingdom,  it  plainly  appears,  that 
among  all  the  fubjevts  of  his   govern- 

.  ment,  none  have  been  more  expoled  to 
perfecution,  affliction,  and  poverty^ 
than  thofe  who  were  raofl  eminent  for 

robedience  to  his  laws,  and  mofi  ufeful 

,in  his  empire.  The  mod  uniform  fub- 
jeclion  to  his  authority,  and  the  warm- 
ertzeal  for  his  honor,  that  ever  appear- 

,edupon  earth  •,  were  no  fecurity  from 
Ibittcr  perfecution,  from  pincking  po^ 


|04  ES  SAY    O  N    THE 

verty,  or  from  complicated  afHi<5bion. 
Our  divine  Lord,  confidcred  as  a  fpiri-i 
tu'al  fovereign,  is  concerned  for  the  fpi- 
ritual  interetls  of  thofe  that  are  under 
his  government.  His  perfonal  perfec- 
tions and  royal  prorogatives,  his  pow- 
er and  v/ifdom,  his  love  and  care,  are 
therefore  to  be  regarded  as  engaged^ 
both  by  office  and  by  promife,--not  to 
inake  his  dependants  eafy  and  profper- 
ous  in  their  temporal  concerns  >  but-- 
to  (Irengthcn  them  for  their  fpiritual 
warfare  j  to  prefervethem  from  final- 
ly falling  by  their  invible  enemies  J  to 
make  all  affli6l:ions  w§rk  together  for 
their  good  >  to  render  them,  in  the  final 
iffue,  more  than  conquerors  over  every 
oppofer  ;  and  to  crown  them  witl^ 
cverlaftinglife. 

Our  Lord  has  promifed,  indeed,  that 
their  obedience  to  his  royal  pleafure, 
fhall  meet  with  his  gracious  regards  in 
the  prefent  life.  Not  by  indulging 
them  with  temporal  riches,  or  by 
granting  them  external  honor  and  eafe  j 
but  by  admitting  them  into  more  inti- 
mate communion  with  himfelf,  and  by 
rejoicing  their  hearts  with  his  favcr*^. 
Yesj  to  deliver  from  fpiritual  enemies^, 
^  Job.  xii,  26,  and  xiv,  21,  23> 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  105 

and  to  provide  for  fpiritual  wants  5  to 
indulge  with  fpiritual  riches,  and  to 
ennoble  with  fpiritual  honors,  are  thofe 
royal  acbs  which  belong  toHinijWhofe 
kingdom  is  not  of  this  world.  In  the  be- 
flowment  of  thefe  bleffings,  the  glory 
of  his  regal  chara6leris  much  concern- 
ed. But  millions  of  his  devoted  fub- 
je6]:s  may  fall  by  the  iron  hand  of  op- 
prellion,  flarve  in  obfcurity,  or  fuffer 
accumulated  afHiction  in  other  ways  j 
without  the  lead  impeachment  of  his 
power,  hisgoodnefs,  or  his  care,  as 
,the  fovereignof  a  fpirituaikingdom. 

The  kingdom  ofChrift  is  not  like  thedo^ 
rrtintons  of  fecular princes^  with  regard  to 
its  limits  and  its  duration.  The  widely 
extended  monarchies  of  antiquity  were 
confined  to  certain  parts  of  the  habita- 
ble globe,  and  in  the  courfe  of  a  few 
centuries  they  came  to  anend.  Notfo, 
the  empire  of  Jefns  Chrifl: :  for  thus  run 
the  prophetic  oracle?,  refpefting  him 
aiid  his  kingdom.  Hejloall  have  domi- 
nion from  fea  to  fea^  and  from  the  river 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  All  things fhall 
fall  down  before  him  :  all  nations  fhall 
ferve  him.  There  was  given  him  domini- 
on^ and  glory^  and  a  kingdom^  that  all 
\peopley  nations^  and  languages  fiould ferve 


I06  ESSAY    ON    THE 

hi7n.     His  dominion  is  an  everlafti?2g  do^ 
mmion^  which  Jhall  not  pafs  away^  and 
.his  kingdom  that  which  fljall  not  be  def- 
froyed.     He  Jhall  r^ign  ever  the  houfe  of 
Jacob  for  ever ^  and  of  his  kingdom  there 
fioall  be  no  end*.     Concerning  tlie  gra- 
■dual.  enlargement  and  univerfal  extent 
ofthis  kingdom,  our  Lord  fpenks  in  hi^- 
parable  of  ^  grain  of  muftard  Jeed  y  and 
-in  that  oHcaven^  pervading  the  whole 
iiiais  of  meal. --This  holy  empire  Ihall 
illue  in  the  ultimate   glory  :    and    the* 
i:he  prefent  form   of  its  admini'lratiou 
will  ceafe,  when  God  fiall  be  all  in  all<, 
yet  the  glorified  fubjeds  of  it  iliall  ne- 
ver diXQt^  never  be  difunited,  nor  ever 
withdraw  their  allegiance   from  Jefus 
Chrift,     Such  are  the  foundations  of  his 
dominion,  and  fuch  rhe  excellence  of 
his  government,  that  each  of  his  real 
fubjecVs  will  from  the  heart  fay  j   Ley 
THE  King  live  !   and  let  him  reign^  till 
all  his  eneynies  become  hisfootjiool\  ! 

Once  more  5  The  empire  of  Chrift^  or 
the  Go  [pel  Churchy  is  called  the  king- 
DOxM  OF  HEAVEN.  A^  our  Lord,  in  the 
mod  emphatical  manner,  is  denomina- 
ted, THE  King  of  kings  \   we  may  with 

*  Pf.  Ixxii.  ??,  ir.  Dan.  vii  14  Luke  i.  33. 
jf  Pf.  Ixxii.  IS.  and  c.  i.   r,  Cor.xv.  25. 


KINGDOM    OF     CHRIST.        IC7 

propriety  confider  his  holy  monarchy, 
as  the  kingdom  of  kingdoms.  This  ap- 
pellation,//^^  ki'ngdom  of  heaven ^x^'^m- 
feftly  fets  the  New  Teftament  church 
at  the  greatefl:  diftance  from  every  le- 
cular  monarchy,  and  teaches  us  to  con- 
iider  it  as  nearly  allied  to  the  heavenly 
Hate*.  The  ffthjeiSts  of  it  are  deicribed, 
as  born  from  above  j  as  the  heirs  of 
glory.  They  are  governed  by  laws, 
indulged  with  privileges,  and  inverted 
with  honors,  which  are  entirely  fpiri- 
tual,  and  all  from  heaven.  The  truths 
they  believe,  the  bleffings  they  enjoy, 
the  obedience  they  perform,  and  the 
expedations  they  entertain,  have  a  re- 
gard to  heaven.  It  is  the  authority  q^ 
a  divine  Sovereign  under  which  they 
<  live,  and  his  approbation  at  which  they 
aim.  The  pleafureswhich  they  enjoy, 
confidered  asthefubje6tsof  JefusChrill:, 
are  all  of  a  fpiritual  nature,  and  all  fa- 
vour ofthe  heavenly  world. 

As  Chrid  is  a  fpiritual  monarch,  his 
dominion  refpedbs  the  underllandings, 
the  confciences,  the   hearts  of  men  5 

*  Ecclefiara  Chrifli  Jefii  vere  elTe  Regnum  C(nlo^ 
ruintx.  inter  ejus  (latum  et  condiiionem  ecclefiae 
coeleflis  maximam  intercedere  affinitatem  et  con-* 
jundionem.  Vitringa  m  Aj^ oca /)!/>/.  ^,S8S'Am[isL^ 
lot].  1 719. 


I08  ESSAY    ON    THE 

and  is  a  preparation  for  that  fublittKI 
(late,  where  knowledge  and  re6tiLude5 
where  obedience  and  love,  whtic  har- 
mony and  joy.  are  all  in  their  full  glory. 
The  foundation   of  this  government^ 
as  it  rerpt(5ls  individuals,  is  laid  in  re- 
generation..   There  the  preparation  for 
htaven  begins :   and    all   the    genuine 
fruits  of  that  important  change,  which 
is   made  by  divine    influence,    in    the 
iTiind,   conscience,  and   heart  of  a  fin* 
ner,  have  a  tendency  toward  heaven  j 
and  many  of  them  are  anticipations  of 
it.     That  worlhip  which  is  performed 
by  the  fi.b  c<51s  ot  Chriif,  is  no  further 
fpiiitual,   and   agreeable   to   the  New 
Oeconomy,  than    it   is  animated  witlf 
fuch  affections   as  abound    in  heaven. 
F  )r  the  time  is  come,  when  thofethat 
w   rlhi p the  Father,  ;;^Af/?  worfiip  him  in 
fpirit  and  in  truth.     Knowledge  and 
Ff  vcrence  of  G«^d,  a^   revealed  by  the 
Mediator  •,  confidence  in  him,  and  love 
to  him  \   ftlf-abafement  in  his  prefence, 
and  acqviieicence  in  hi^  d<' minion  5   arc 
the  principle  ideas  included  in  fpiritnal 
worfhip,  w^hether  as  per^orniedbv  the 
fu!)jecls  oS  Clii'l  here,  or  bv  the  faints 
made  perfed  in  glory. 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  log 

It  is  manifefl  from  this  charadteriftic 
of  our  Lord's  kingdom,  that  a  profellL- 
on  of  allegiance  to  him  is  entirely  vain^ 
not  attended  wixh/piritual  minclcdnefs  : 
becaufe  it  is  natural  for  good  fubje<51:s 
to  feek  the  profperity  of  that  kingdom 
to  which  they  belong.  Now  the  inter- 
efls  of  Melliah's  empire  are  all  of  a 
fpiritual  nature.  In  the  fpread  of  evan- 
gelical truth,  and  the  purity  of  divine 
worfhip  \  in  the  exercife  of  love,  and 
the  pradtice  of  holinefs, the  intereils  and 
honor  of  this  kingdom  chiefly  coniift. 
Inditterence  about  thefe,  is  an  evidence 
of  the  heart  being difafFe6led  to  our  di- 
vine Sovereign  >  but  allegiance  to  him, 
will  manifefl  itfelf  by  an  habitual  re- 
gard to  them. --In  whomfoever  this 
holy  Monarch  reigns,  there  is  a  relifli 
for  fpiritual  riches,  honors,  pleafures^ 
To  enjoy  his  favor,  and  bear  his 
image  >  to  perform  his  will,  and  be- 
hold his  glory,  are  things  of  the  high- 
eil  importance  iii  the  eileem  of  real 
faints.  Nor  is  it  a  mere  di^late  of  the 
tmderllanding  and  confcience,  that  it 
ihould  be  fo.  It  is  matter  of  choice  : 
for  their  hearts  are  engaged  on  thofj^ 
obieds. 


K 


il6  ESSAYONTHE 

Ic  Is  common  for  fubjeds  to  imitate 
a  fovereign  whom  they  love  and  re- 
vere y  elpeceially,  if  they  have  deri- 
ved Ilgual benefits  from  his  adm'iniltra- 
tion.  Now  fiich  is  the  nature  of  our 
Lord's  government,  that  it  is  impoili. 
ble  for  any  one  to  beunder  it,  without 
lincerely  loving  and  profoundly  rever- 
ing him--vvithout  feeing  an  excellence 
in  his  example,  which  commands 
elleem  and  excites  imitation.  But  if 
we  be  fond  of  wealth,  or  emulous  of 
grandeur  and  fhow  j  if  we  purfue  pre- 
eminence, and  grai'p  at  power  5  we 
imitate  the  children  of  this  world,  not 
Jefus  Chrift.  Thofe  things  are  eagerly, 
fought,  and  highly  prized,  by  thefub- 
jedts  of  Satan,  becaufe  they  are  carnally 
minded  ',  but  he  is  unworthy  to  be  cal- 
led adifciple  of  Chrirt,  who  is  not  ha- 
bitually ftriving  to  copy  his  exam- 
ple. Nor  can  any  pretend,  thathe  ever 
encouraged,  byword  or  d^Qd^  thepur- 
fuit  of  fecular  di(lin6tions,  the  acquifi- 
tion  of  wealth,  or  the  pleafurcs  of  fen- 
fuality,  but  quite  the  reverfe.  Far  from 
fe eking  honor  which  comes  from  mcn^  he- 
neither  courted  the  fmiles  of  the  rich, 
nor  the  patronage  of  the  mighty:  for 
the  friendfiip  of  this  world ^  is  enmity  with 
Qedi     So  our  Lord  efteemed  it,  and  fo 


KINGDOM     OF     CHRIST:       111 

muft  his  difciples.  To  be  the  fiibj eels 
of  a  fpirimal  kingdom,  and  to  have  our 
hearts  on  temporal  enjoyments,  are  in- 
con  iillent.  Tif  he  carnally  minded  is 
deatti  ;  hut  to  he  fpritually  jninded^  is 
life  and fc ace. 

As  Chrifl  is  a  fpiritual  fovercign,  and 
his  church  a  fpiritiial  kingdom,  ?X\  the 
fubjedts  of  his  government  muitbe  con- 
iidered,  as  in  a  fiate  of  preparation  for 
heaven.  The  prevailing  diipofitions  of 
their  hearts  are  in  favor  of  heavenly 
things  •  and  to  promote  the  exerciie 
of  fpiritual  affections,  the  NewOeco- 
nomy,  in  all  its  branches,  is  much  bet- 
ter adapted  than  wasthe  Mofaic  fyllem. 
For  as  it  is  the  moll  perfect  difpeniati- 
on  of  divine  grace,  that  ever  was,  or 
ever  will  be  enjoyed  on  earth  ^  fo  it 
makes  the  neared  approaches  to  heavea. 

It  has  been  juftly  remarked  by  a  cer- 
tain author,  ''  That  the  Le^al  Oeco- 
^^  nomy  introduced  that  of  Grace,  by 
''  thegofpel,  and  then  vanillied  away. 
'^  The  Difpenfation  of  Grace,  in  like 
*^  manner,  is  now  performing  its  work, 
^^  fulfilling  its  day,  announcing,  un- 
"  folding,  introducing  the  kingdom 
^'  of  glory:   ^i\di  ^y  hen  that  which  is.  ^er-^ 


Ill  ESSAYONTHE 

*'  feet  is  come^  then  that  which  is  in  part 
''  P^all  he  done  awaj.'' —Yes^  the  Old 
Oeconomy,  and  the Jcwifh  Theocracy, 
were  manifelHy  iiuroduftory  to  the 
Chriftiau  Dilpenfation,  and  the  Meffi- 
ah's  kingdom.  Thofcj  being  typical 
and  iTiadowy,  led  to  theic,  and  in  them 
received  thciF  final  completion.  But 
the  New  Difpenfation,  and  the  king- 
dom of  Cliriil,  have  no  completion 
ihort  of  heaven.  Thither  they  lead, 
and  there  they  terminate.  No  wor- 
ihip  is  agreeable  to  the  Mcfliah*s  king- 
dom, which  is  not  animated  by  hea* 
venly  afTc61:ions.  All  the  external  fer- 
vices  of  religion  are  only  fo  many 
means  of  exciting  thofe  holy  affefti-* 
ons,  of  promoting  communion  with 
God,  and  of  cultivating  a  heavenly 
temper.  Confequently,  the  worfhip  of 
thofe  who  reft  in  exterior  fcrvices,  is 
quite  fuperficial,  and  has  nothing  fpi- 
riaial,  nothing  heavenly  in  it. 

Jehovah,  under  the  former  Difpenfa- 
tion,  having  chofen  the  Holy  of  holies 
for  the  place  of  his  refidence,  the  Jews 
were  directed  to  ad d re fs him  in  prayer, 
confidcred  as  on  his  throne  htiyeen  thf 


SlINGDOM    OF    GHHIST'.  ^1:^ 

Cherubim*.  They  knew,  indeed^  that- 
he  inhabited  celeltial  manfions  >  and 
therefore,  when  bending  the  knee  be- 
fore him,  their  hands  were  extended 
toward  heaveny  ;  but  yet  he  was  more 
immediately  regarded  by  them,  as  rc- 
iiding  in  the  earthly  fan43:uary.  For^ 
notwithdandin^  their  defiretobe  heard 
in  heaven^  ''  the  cry  of  their  prayerj. 
''  and  the  eye  of  their  faith,  v<;ere  di- 
^'  re6led  firlt  to  the  mercyfeat.''  The 
mofL  eminent  faints,  under  that  Oeco- 
nomy,  looked  toGodinbothj  didho- 
mage  to  him  in  both  >  nor  could  they- 
havenegle<51:ed  him  in  refpedt  of  cither, 
without  being  culpable. — WlicreaSj 
whenChriilians  pray,  they  lock  direct -- 
ly  to  their  Father  who  is  in  heaven^  and 
as  on  a  throne  of  grace  in  the  celeflial 
tc-mple  i  without  the  lead  regard  to. 
any  place  upon  earth,  or  lo  any  viflble 

objcftj. 

"  God,faysDr  Erskjne,  as  hufband 
^'  of  the  the  Gofpei  church,  claims 
'^  from  his  people  inward  afFcclion  and 
^'  .love,  and  accepts    thcni   only  who 

K  a 

*  I  Kinoes  viii.  27— qo,  58,  42,  44,  4?.  2  King^ 
xix.  I).  Pfaiin  xxviii.  2.  Ixxx.  i  Dan.  vi.  10. 
f  I  Kina^sviii.  2  j.  X  Sc^e  Br.  Coodi-ln  on  Chrijt 
tbs  Muftator,  B.  YI.  Chap,  iii. 


114  ESSAYONTHE 

'  worfhip  him  in  fpiritand  in  truth.  In 
'  the  mofaic  covenant  it  was  otherwife. 
^  There  he  appeared  chiefly  as  atem- 
'  poral  prince,  and  th-erefore  gave  laws 
'  intended  rather  to  direct  thie  outward 

*  condudt,  than  to  regulate  the  ablings 
'  of  the  heart.  Hence  every  thing  in 
'  that  Difpenfation  was  adapted  to 
'  flrike  his  fubjeds  with  awe  and  re- 
^  verence.  The  magnificence  of  his 
'  palace,  and  all  its  utenfils  3  his  nu- 
^  merous  train  of  attendants  5  the 
^  fplendid  robes  of  the  high-priefi, 
^  who,  though  his  prime  minifler,  was 
'  not  allowed  to  enter  the  Holy  of  ho- 
'  lies,  fave  once  a  year,  and,  in  all  his. 
'  miniflrations,  was  obliged  to  difco- 
^  ver  the  mod  humble  veneration  for 
^  IfraersKingj  the  folemn  riies  with 
^  which  thcpriefls  were  confecratedj 
'  the fhi6lnG fs  with  which  all  impuni- 
'  ties  and  indecencies  were  forbidden, 
'  as  things  which,  though  tolerable  in 
^  others,  were  unbecoming  the  dig- 
^  nity  of  the  people  of  God,  efpecially 
'  when  approaching  to  him  :  allthefe 
'  tended   to  promote   and   fecure  the 

*  refpcdl  due  to  their  glorious  Sove- 
'  reign. "--It was,  however, foretold, 

by  one  of  the  minor  Prophets,   ''  that 
^^  in  Gofpcl  times,  menfliould  notcrJl 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  II5 

«'  God,  Baali.  i.e.  my Mafter^huiIJIn. 
'^  i.  e.  my  HuJhand-'ThQ  pafTage  im- 
'«•  ports  at  ieail  thus  much,  thatGod^ 
«^  who  in  the  Jewilh  Difpenfationhad 
''  chiefly  difplayed  the  grandeur,  dif- 
'^  tance,  and  ieverity  of  a  Mafter, 
<'  would,  in  the  Chriitian  Difpenfati- 
'^  on,ckiefly  difplay  the  afFe6lion  and 
'' familiarity  of  a  hufband  and  friend*. " 

Yes,  under  the  Mofaic  iyftem,  the 
highpriefl  only,  and  he  but  once  in  a 
year,  was  admitted  to  the  mercyfeat, 
or  throne  ofjehovah,  ma  worldly  fane- 
tuary.  That  appearance  of  the  Jewifh 
pontifFbefore  the  Lord,  though  grand 
and  folemn,  was  a  mere  emblem  of  Ipi- 
ritual  things,  and  of  that  holy  inter- 
courfe  which  all  the  fubjeds  of  this 
kingdom  have  with  God,  in  the  per- 
formance of  fpiritual  worfhip.  For  as 
Jefus  entered  into  the  heavenly  fandlu- 
ary,  with  his  own  blood  .•  as  he  is  there 
a  p''iefi  upon  his  throne^  uniting  the  fa- 
cerdotal  cenfer  with  the  regal  ceptre  j 
he  ever  lives,  not  only  to  govern  his 
widely  extended  empire,  but  likewife 
to  intercede  for  all  his  followers,  and  to 
be  the  medium  of  their  accefs  to  thedi- 
vine  Father.     In    virtue  of  his  atone^. 

*    Thiohgical  DiffertaiionSy  p.  4^  S»  6 


Il6  ESSAYONTHE 

mcnt  made  on  the  crofs,  and  of  his  ap* 
pcarance  in  the  heavenly  world,  the 
meaneit  fubjeccs  of  his  dofninion,  when 
pertorming  ficred  Icrvice,  /lare  bold- 
nefs  to  enter  into  the  holieft.  Each  of 
them,  in  the  exerciie  cf  faith,  of  hope, 
and  of  love,  has  accels  to  the  Divine 
Majeily  on  a  throne  of  grace  >  and 
each  has  reafon  to  expert  acondefcend- 
ing  audience  from  the  King  Eternal. 
Hence  wc  find,  that  New  Tellament 
faints  are  called  the  domeftics  ef  God  -^ 
which  ^ '  may  have  fome  relation  to  that 
^'  peculiar  nearnefs  to  God,  in  which 
^'  the jewiili  prieils  were:  and  refer 
'<^  to  that  gr^'ir  intimacy  of  unrellrain- 
'^  ed  converfe  to  v/hich  we,  as  Chrifli- 
''  ans,  are  admitted.  In  which  ref- 
^'  pecbour  privileges  feem  to  refemblc, 
**^  not  only  thofe  ofi  he  people  praying 
^'  in  the  common  court  oflfrael  >  but  of 
^^  the  prieiis,  worfhipping  in  they^<?^</<r 
"  itfelf^:' 

The  fuperior  advantages  ofbelievers. 
imdcr,  the  Chriftlan  Oeconomy,  in  re-^ 
gard  to  communion  with  God,  and  the 
iandifying  influence  which  that  holy 
iatcrcourfe  ha^  on  their  minds,  are 
ilronoly  exprelTed  in  the  following re- 

*  Pr.  '0<iddrid'ji*s  Note^  on  Epbcf.  ii*  19. 


KI  NGDO  M   O  F   CHR  X  ST.  II7 

markable  words :  But  we  all^  in  an  un- 
veiled face^  beholding  as  in  a  glafs  the 
glory  of  the  Lord^  are  changed  into  the 
fame  image ^  from  glory  to  glory ^  even  as 
hy  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord^ ,  The  Apof- 
tie  Lere  plainly  alludes  to  that  glory 
which  appeared  in  the  face  of  Mofes, 
after  his  intimate  converfe  with  Jeho- 
vah on  the  mount.  So  dazzling  was 
the  luftreof  his  countenance,  that  the 
children  of  Tfrael  were  afraid  to  come 
nigh  him.  He  therefore  put  a  veil  up- 
on his  face^thatthey  might  have  fami- 
liar intercourfe  with  him'j'  :  which  veil 
was  an  emblenij  not  only  of  thejewilli 
blind  ednefs,  but  alfo  of  the  darknefs  of 
that  Difpenfation.--Now,  in  contrail 
with  thefe  things,  Paul  informs  us,  that 
the  glory  of  the  divine  perfe6lions  ap- 
pears and  fhines  mx\\Q  unveiled  face  of 
Jefus  Chriit  5   that  this  glory  is   beheld 

*  2  Cor.  iii.  18.  Li  an  unveiled  face.  So,  I 
humbly  conceive,  flionld  here  be  rendered.  Com- 
pare 2  Cor.  iv.  6.  where  the  infpired  writer  fpeaks 
of  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  Cod , 
in  the  face  of  Jefus  Chrift.  That  will  admit  the 
fiipplemenul  prepofition  /;/,  as  well  as  w^th,  cannot, 
I  prefiime,  be  doubted  :  and  that  the  whole  fcopc 
of  Paul's  reafoninc;  in  the  context  leads  us  to  think 
of  the  face  of  6'Ar/,^,  rather  than  that  of  believers, 
being  unveiled ^\s,\i  Imiftakc  notjfolidly  proved  by 
the  learned  Renins,  in  his  Dilfcrtat.  Philolog.  'The- 
plog.  Diflert.  xxvi.  \  4,  s,  6-  t  Exod.xxxiv.29.  ?c. 


Il8  ESSAYONTHE 

by  New  Teftamcntbelievers  -,  and  that, 
by  beholding  it,  thev  are  gradually 
transformed  into  the  glorious  image  of 
God.  What  an  illullrioiis  view  does 
the  Apotilehere  giveusof  theNewOe- 
conomy  !  He  not  only  rcprefents  the 
(late  and  privileges  of  the  Golpel 
Church,  as  greatly  fuperior  to  thofe  of 
the  Jewifh  people  5  but  as  nearly  ap- 
proaching to  the  employments,  and  the 
fruitions  of  the  celedfal  world.  For 
we  cannot  eafily  form  a  more  exalted 
idea  of  the  bufmefs  and  blefledncfs  of 
heaven,  than  thatof  contemplating  the 
glory  ofGod,  and  of  making  continual 
advances  inlikenefs  to  him. 

As,  in  the  perfon  of  our  Mediator, 
the  nature  of  God  and  the  nature  of 
man  were  not  united,  till  jud  before  the 
commencement  of  this  kingdom-,  as 
God  was  not  manifefled  in  theflefJo^  but 
with  an  immediate  view  to  this  holy 
and  fpiritual  empire  \  fo  there  is  no  rea- 
fon  to  wonder  that  the  favored  fub- 
jecbs  of  Mefliah's  government  have  a 
more  intimatecommunion  with  Jeho- 
vah, than  was  ever  enjoyed  by  thejew- 
i/h  church.  Under  the  Old  Covenant, 
Ifrael  in  general  had  a  kind  of  local 
nearnefs  to  God,  in  the  performance  of 


KINGDOM    OF     CHRIST.        II9 

religious  worfhip  5  and  real  faints  had 
fpiritual  communion  with  him  .  But 
then  it  was  by  means  of  priefts,  who  had 
infirmities  >  of  facrifices,  that  were 
imperfed  >  and  of  fervices,  that  were 
mere  fhadows  of  heavenly  things:  all 
which  were  confined  to  an  earthly  fanc- 
tuary.  Whereas  the  fubjet5i:s  ol  Jefus 
Chrillhave  accefs  to  the  Father  of  mer- 
cies, without  regarding  any  priell,  be- 
fides  their  Sovereign  >  any  facrifice, 
befides  his  death;  any  incenfe,  befides 
his  interceflion.  All  thefe  they  regard  as 
appearing,  as  operating,  as  efficacious 
on  their  behalf,  in  the  heavenly  fan6lu- 
ary.  Yqs^  their  High-priell,  who  is 
of  infinite  dignity  >  their  facrifice. 
which  isofboundlefs  worth  y  and  their 
incenfe,  which  is  confummately  fra- 
grant, are  for  ever  in  the  immediate 
prefenceof  God--for  ever  deferving, 
and  for  ever  obtaining  the  divine  ap- 
probation. On  thefe,  therefore,  in  all 
their  approaches  to  Eternal  Majefty, 
their  dependence  fixes.  Hence  their 
worfhip  isperformed,  through  theaids 
of  grace,  with  reverence  and  with 
confidence,  with  loveand  withdelioht. 
/f^e  have  accefs  with  confidence^  hy  the 
faith  of  Chx'i^, 


IZO  ESSAY    ON    TH£ 

Now,  to  worfhip  God  with  pro- 
found reverence,  yet  without  a  ilavilli 
fear  3  with  Heady  confidence,  ccnne6b- 
ed  with  deep  humility  >  with  fubmif- 
fion  to  his  will,  as  the  moil  high  Lord  5 
with  love  to  his  excellence,  as  the  infi- 
nite beauty  5  and  with  joy  in  his  all- 
fufficiency,  as  the  Chiet  Good  3  is  to 
perform  a  fpiritunl  fervice,  and  to  adore 
in  a  heavenly  manner.  In  theperform- 
ance  of'fuch  worfhip,  v/ehavc  comma-* 
nion  yiriiht/^e  Jpirits  of  juft  men  made 
perfefi'-\vQ  enter  within  the  veil--we 
have  feilowihip  with  God--we  antici* 
pate  the  bufinefs  of  heaven,  and  talle 
itsrefincd  pleafures.  Inthefe  holyex* 
ercifcs  of  the  mind,  confcience,  and 
heart,  we  feel  ourfelvfs  near  to  God, 
as  the  fountain  of  all  blelTednefj,  and 
are  trained  for  the  heavenly  world. 
Thus  we  are  habituated  to  a  kind  of 
celeflial  fervice,  by  which  our  likenefs 
to  Chrifl  is  promoted,  and  our  defires 
after  heaven  increafed.  In  thefe things 
the  very  lifeof'fpiritualworfhip  and  of 
real  religion  confifts.  He  therefore  is 
not  worthy  to  be  called  a  fubjc6t  of 
our  Lord's  kingdom,  who  is  not  habi- 
tually aiming  in  his  devotional  fervicesj 
at  his  delightful  and  foiemn  intercourfe 
v/ith  God.     Norishedeiervingofthat: 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST.  121 

exalted  charadter,  whofe  thoughts  and 
cares,  whofe  hopes  and  fears,  whofe 
joys  and  forrows,  are  not  principally 
concerned  about  the  government  and 
grace  ofChriil,  confidered  in  their  con- 
ne6bion  with  the  heavenly  Hate. 

It  mufl,  indeed,  be  admitted,  that 
this  communion  with  heaven  is  ex- 
tremely imperfe6b  in  the  prefent  life. 
Becaule,  though  every  true  fubjecl  of 
the  King  Mefliah  be  in  a  (late  very  dif- 
ferent from  that  of  a  merely  nominal 
Chriflian,  and  though  he  is  thankful  for 
that  difference  j  yet  he  is  not,  he  can- 
not be  fatisfied,  either  with  what  he 
knows,  or  with  what  he  enjoys  J  with 
•what  he  is,  or  with  what  he  does.  Not 
with  what  he  knows  :  for  he  knows 
hut  in  parf^  and  he  feels  the  deficiency. 
His  acquaintance  with  the  Greateft  and 
Beil  of  beings-- with  the  character  and 
perfed:ions,  with  the  works  and  ways 
ofGod,  is  extremely  fmall.  His  know- 
ledge of  the  adorable  Jefus--of  his  Per- 
fon  and  ofEces,  of  his  grace  and  work, 
of  his  kingdom  and  glory,  is  very  con- 
traded.  Nay,  the  knowledge  he  has 
of  himfelf,  and  of  his  final  deftination 
in  the  heavenly  world,  is  exceedingly 


Ii2  E  S  S  A  Y    O  N    TH  E 

-fcanty  :  for  the  heart  is  deceitful  ah ove 
all  things  ;  and  it  does  not  yet  appear 
what  wefiall  he.  He  cannot  theretore 
be  contented  with  fueh  a  pittance  of 
ipiritu.il  knowledge. 

Not  with  what  he  enjoys  :  for  his 
enjoyment  of  fpiritual  pleaiure  is,  at 
the  higheft,  comparatively  low.  Be- 
fides,  it  is  frequently  interrupted  by  the 
infurre6tions  of  indwelling  fin,  and  by 
the  incurfions  of  outward  temptation. 
Though  he  fometimes  exults  in  the 
light  ot  God's  countenance,  partaking 
of  joy  that  \sunfpeakahle  and  full  of  glory 'y 
yet  he  frequently  mourns  the  want  of 
that  exalted  pleafure,  and  groans  being 
burdened. 

Not  with  what  he  is  :  for  he  feels 
much  depravity,  and  laments  over  it,  as 
affecting  his  mind  with  darknefs>  hrs 
confcience  with  guilt,  or  with  ftupidi- 
ty  5  and  his  paflions  with  carnality. 
So  far  from  perfectly  bearing  the  image 
of  Ch rift,  that  his  language  frequently 
is  •,  O  wretched  man  that  1  am  !  who 
Jloall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death! 

Not  with  what  he  does:  for  though 

hefincerely  defires  to  perform  the  will 

'of  God,  as'revealedin  divine  precepts, 


K'  I  N-G  D  O  M    O  F    C  H  RI  S  T.  ICI3 

and  illuftrated  by  the' example  of 
Chrifl:  j  yet  he  perceives  that  his  obe- 
dience is  very  imperfe<5l.  Does  he,  {or 
inrtance,  addrefs  himfelf  to  God  in 
prayer  ?  in  that  devout  exercife  his 
whole  foul  fhould  be  engaged.  Reve- 
rence of  the  divine  Majefty,  and  an 
abaiing  fenfe  of  his  own  guilt  -,  faith  in 
thegreatatonement,  and  confidence  in 
paternal  mercy  -,  the  ardour  of  petition, 
and  the  comfort  of  expectation,  fhould 
be  all  united.  But  frequently,  alas  I 
his  thoughts  wander,  and  his  pious  af- 
fe6tions  are  dull,  if  not  dormant.  His 
prayer  feems  little  befides  a  conflict 
with  his  own  corruption.  Me  rifcs 
from  his  knees  with  forrow  and  with 
fighs.  Afhamed  ofthe  manner  in  which 
he  has  treated  the  omnifcientObjedl  of 
his  worfhip,  he  cannot  forbear  exclaim- 
ing J  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  finner  !  and 
this,  perhaps,  is  the  only  petition  over 
which  he  does  not  mourn,  as  dellicure 
of  holy  animation. --Or  if  he  enjoy  li- 
berty in  his  converfe  with  the  Father  o  f 
all  mercies,  how  often  does  he  find  fe- 
crct  pride,  and  felf-gratularion,  arife 
inhis  heart?  as  if  the  Moll  Holy  would 
regard  his  confefHons,  petitions,  and 
thankfgivings  for  the  fake  of  their  owut 
excellence  !  Aware  ofthe  latent  poiXoE^^ 


la-j.  ESSAY    ON    THE 

he  is  almofl  confounded.  For  well  he 
knows,  that  Chriftianity  is  the  religion 
of  {inners--of  depraved,  of  guilty,  of 
unworthy  creatures :  and  that  nothing 
is  more  inconfiftent  with  evangelical 
truth,  or  more  deteftabiein  the  fight  of 
our  Maker,  than  fclf-applaufe  refped- 
ing  acceptance  with  God.  Knowing 
himfelf  to  be  a  polluted  v/orm  that  de- 
ferves  to  pcrifll,  he  trembles  to  think  of 
ever  fuppoflng  that  the  majeily  of  the 
Moll  High,  and  the  purity  of  the  Mod 
Holy,  will  accept  his  imperfeft  fervi- 
ces  for  their  own  fake.  In  the  mofl  cm- 
phatical  manner  he,  therefore,  with 
Job  exclaims  >  Bekold^  I  am  vile  /--/ 
abhor  myfclf !  So  various  and  fo  great 
are  the  defects  in  our  devotional  fer- 
vices,  that  we  might  well  defpair,  were 
it  not  for  a  High-priefl  who  bears  the 
iniquity  of  our  holy  things.  For  we 
find-  a  law-y  that  when  we  would  do  goedy 
evil  is  pre fent  with  us. 

To  fuch  imperfections  and  fuch  com- 
plaints, is  a  real  fubjeft  of  our  Lord's 
dominion  liable  in  the  prefent  life. 
B'n,  looking  forward  to  the  feparate 
fcate,  when  he  lliall  he  withChrifl^  which 
is  far  better^  and  to. the  refurredlion  of 
the  righteous  5   with  joy  he  adopts  the 


KINGDOM    OF    CHRIStT,  1^^-' 

language  of  David  and  (-xys^  I  JIj all  be 
fatisfied^  when  I  awake  withtJiyiikenefs. 
Yes,  when  that  ultimate  and  e  verlailing 
Oeconomy  commences,  his  mind  be- 
ing all  irradiated  with  divine  truth,  he 
fhali  be  fiiiisfied  with  ^\\'\\,\\q  knows : 
perfedly  pofleiling  the  Chief  Good,  he 
ihallbe  latisfied  with  what  he  enjoys  > 
confcious  of  complete  rectitude,  he 
lliall  be  fatisfied  with  what  he/j  ;  and 
knowing  his  obedience  to  be  confiim- 
mate,  hefhallbe  latisfied  with  what  he 
^fl^j. --Delightful,  ravifhing  thought! 
To  have  all  our  immortal  powers  ex- 
panded and  filled,  with  knowledge  of 
the  Supreme  truth,  and  with  love  to  the 
Supreme  Beauty  >  with  reverence  of 
the  Supreme  Lord,  and  with  delight  ia 
the  Supreme  Good,  mull  conliitute  com- 
plete happinefs.  Yetiuch  is  the  grand 
refult  of  our  Lord's  dominion  in  the 
heartsofmen!  To  this,  therefore,  we 
mufl  look,  upon  this  ouraffedlions  mull 
be  placed,  if  we  would  behave  as  the 
fubjedrs  of  Jefus  Chrill,  and.  finiih  our 
courfe  with  honor.  For  as  this  life  is 
the  feed-time  of  an  eternal  harvefi^  a? 
no  ?tx\Q  gathers  grapes  0^^  t/iorns^  or  figs  of 
thldleSj  and  as  whatever  a  man  fcws^ 
that  Jloall lie  alfo  reat  -,  Co  we  have  no 
L  a 


12.6  ESSAY    ON    THE 

reafonto  expert  heav^en  as  oiirfinalre- 
lidence,  if  we  be  not  habitually  defirous 
ofcommunion  with  God  in  aliour  vvor- 
iliip,  and  of  making  it  our  bulinefs  to 
perform  his  will. 

It  is  one  of  the  noWeil:  and  moft  de- 
lightful employments  of  the  human 
mindj  to  contemplate  the  gradual  reve- 
lation of  Jehovah's  v/ill,  and  the  grow- 
ing difplay  of  his  eternal  favor,  from 
the  fall  of  our  firll  parents,  to  thecon- 
fummation  of  the  divine  Oeconomy;- 
Itisboth  pleafing  and  improving  to  re- 
flect on  the  Patriarchal Difpcnfation  in- 
troducing the  Mofaic  Syftem  j  on  the  • 
Sinai  Confederation  making  way  for 
the  New  Covenant  5  on  the  Jewifh 
Theocracy  leading  to  the  Kingdom  of 
Chrift  5  on  the  government  of  that 
kingdom  as  a  preparation  for  celedial 
manliotib  J  on  the  performance  of  holy  ' 
worHiip,  by  rhefubjedts  of  Chrillherc, 
fis  the  mean  of  communion  with  faints 
in  light  •,  and  on  the  prefent  liate  of 
worfhip  and  of  blelfednefs  in  the  hea- 
venly lanftuary,  as  preparing  for  the 
ultimate  glory. 

In  reference  to  the  communion  of 

believers  with  thefpiritsofjufi  men  mads 


<  K  r  N  G  I>  O  M    O  F    C  H  R  I  S  T.        1  ^T 

perfect^  in  the  performance  of  fpiritual 
worfhip;    and  rcipe^ting  the  eonfum- 
mation  of  all  things.  Dr.  Owen  fpeaks 
as  follows,  with    whofe  words  i  lliall 
conclude.    ^^  Were  all  that  die  in  the 
^*  Lord  immediately  received  into  that 
'^  rtate  wherein  God  fi all  he  all  m  all^ 
'^  without  any  life  ot  the  mediation  of 
^'  Chrill,  or  the  worfhip  of  praifeand 
'^  honor  unto  God  by  him^withoutbe- 
'^  ingexercifed  in  the  afcriptionof  ho- 
^^  norjgloryjpoweranddominionunto 
"   [Chriil,  1  on  the  account  of  the  pall 
^^  and  prefentdifcharge  of  his  office  3 
"  there  could  be  no   communion  be- 
'^  tween  themand  us.     But  whililthey 
'^  are  mi\\(^  fayi6iuary  ^  in  the  temple  of 
^'  Goclj  in  the  holy  worfhip  ofChrid, 
''  and  of  God  in  him,  and  we  are  not 
'^  only  employed  in  the  fame  work  in 
'^  facred  ordinances    fuited  unto    our 
''  Hate  and  condition,  but  in  the  per- 
'*   formance  of  our  duties  do  by  faith 
^'  e^ter  in  withm  the  veil^  and  ippro^ch 
''  unto  the  fame  throne  of  grace  inthe 
•'   moftholy  pkce  3   there  is  a  fpiritual 
*'  communion  between  them  and  us. 
''  So  the  Apoftle  expreiTeth  it,  in  the 
^'  twelfthofHebrews--As wearehere, 
^^  in  and  by  the  word  and  other  ordi- 
'^  nraices,  prepared  and  made  meet  for 


128 


ESSAY    ON    THE       £>  ^. 


«^  the  prefcnc  Hate  of  things  in  glory  j 

''  fo  are  they,    :  the  fpiritsot  the  jull: 

''  made  pcrre(5lj  by  the  temple  wor- 

'^  Ihip  of  heaven,  fitted  for  thatllate  of 

''  things  when  Chrill  fhall  give  up  the, 

'^  kingdom  unto  the  Father^  that  God- 

^^  MAY    BE    ALL    IN    ALL*." 

*07i  the  P  erf  on  ofChriJl,  Cbap,  xxu  p.  365,  366. 


Now    in    the  Prefs^ 

AND    SOON    WILL    BE    PUBLISHED, 

R  f  P  P  O  N  S 

Sekaion    of    HYMNS, 

INTENDED    BY    THE 
AUTHOR  as  aji  APPENDIX  to  Dr.  WATTS^s 
PSALMS  and  HYMNS; 

BEING 

THE  MOST  BEAUTIFUL  AND  APPROVED 
SELECTION  OF  HYMNS,  EXTANT, 

THOSE  WHO  WISH  TO  POSSESS  THIS 
TRULY  VALUABLE  BOOK,  MAY  BE  SUP- 
PLIED BY  APPLYING  TO  WILLIAM  DU-. 
EELL,  THE  PRINTER  HEREOF,  AT  No, 
19,    QUEEN-STREET,  NEW-YORK. 


THOSE  WHO  WISH  TO  POSSESS 
THE  Rev.  ABRAHAM  BOOTHS' 
PIECE  ON  BAPTISM^  ARE  IN- 
FORMED, THEY  MAY  BE  SUP- 
PLIED IN  THE  SPRING,  BY  AP- 
PLYING TO  THE  Rev.  WILLIAM 
ROGERS,  OF  PHILADELPHIA,— 
AND  BY  Mr.  SING,  OF  NEW- 
YORK. A  L  S   0-—BOOTHS' 

REIGN  OF  GRACE, 


■.■■■  •.*-r';. 
•t' *■'.■■'  ■- 


•1-. 
>  ^'' 


